Climate Action Committee to discuss flood planning, energy measures

The meeting at 1:30 p.m. in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live here and on Android and Apple devices using the Houses of the Oireachtas app.

Scheduled witnesses include

• Maurice Buckley, chairman of the Office of Public Works, and
• Kevin McCarthy, secretary general of the Department of Rural and Community Development.

The Office of Public Works is expected to detail its Flood Risk Management programme and how it addresses scenarios of rising sea levels and increased storm activity, as well as the measures being taken in OPW-managed properties to reduce energy use.

The Department of Rural and Community Development is expected to show how a range of programmes are supporting the development of eco-communities, green energy options and other contributions to reducing Ireland’s carbon footprint. Examples include a new hydroelectric project in Waterford and the introduction of LED street lighting in villages from Leitrim to Tipperary.

“Ireland already is vulnerable to frequent flooding. All scientific forecasts suggest this activity will intensify as climate change powers more extreme weather events,” said Committee Chair Hildegarde Naughton TD. “The Committee looks forward with interest to hearing how Ireland’s evolving Flood Risk Management programme will cope with future scenarios involving higher coastal waters and the likelihood of stronger tidal surges during storms.”

Deputy Naughton said Ireland’s investment in communities requires a disciplined focus on meeting national carbon-reduction goals. “The Department of Rural and Community Development is overseeing a variety of novel projects, involving everything from beekeeping in Mayo to furniture recycling in Cork,” she said. “One question the Committee will have is whether the Department has any sense of the net contribution such efforts make to Ireland achieving its carbon goals.”

The Climate Action Committee was established in July to consider a report by the Citizens’ Assembly titled How the State Can Make Ireland a Leader in Tackling Climate Change. The Committee is tasked with reporting its conclusions and recommendations by Jan. 31.