Many of the issues we deal with here are immediate and short term. I raise the issue of rising sea levels. This year, the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was published. The Taoiseach described it as a code red.

The report suggests that parts of Cork, Limerick, Galway, Wexford, Dublin, Clare and Kerry will be under water before too long. The rise in sea levels cannot be stopped and is accelerating. What long-term plans does the Government have to study and deal with this? Will it set up a national sea level measurement advisory group, as has been suggested? Other countries are taking this very seriously. What are we doing?

Local authorities are responsible for the management of problems associated with coastal change and erosion in their respective areas, but there is a need for a long-term, co-ordinated approach to tackle the issues of coastal change and to provide a framework for key decisions to be taken on how Ireland can best manage its coast, being aware of the future risks and associated planning requirements. The Government has established an interdepartmental group on managing coastal change to scope out an approach for the development of a national co-ordinated and integrated strategy to manage the protected impact of coastal change on our communities, economies, heritage, culture and environment. The interdepartmental group is currently chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Office of Public Works will bring forward options and recommendations for the Government to consider in due course.