Sea level rise planning
Deputy Stanton asked whether the State has long-term plans to deal with rising sea levels and coastal vulnerability. The Taoiseach said sea levels will rise and he would look into the existing work and come back directly.
Last May the Marine Institute published a report called Irish Ocean Climate and Ecosystem Status Report in which it pointed out we are vulnerable to rising sea levels. In fact, 40% of our population lives within 5 km of a coast. It seems inevitable that the sea will rise. Has the State any long-term plans to deal with this issue?
Comment on this
It is inevitable that sea levels will rise, but thankfully they are rising slowly. I saw some work on this that was done under the previous Government under the auspices of the Office of Public Works, OPW, but I have not seen anything in quite some time. I will have to look into it and come back to the Deputy directly.