Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
114. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment his Departments plans to counter coastal erosion, dealing with the potential impacts of coastal erosion; the contingency plans being put in place to protect coastal and marine environments from increasing climate change impacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46954/26]
View answerThe matter raised in the Question is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The Government recognises the coastal change risks associated with climate change, and that increases in sea levels and storm surges will result in increased frequency of coastal erosion. In response to these challenges, the recommendations outlined in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group on National Coastal Change Management Strategy (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/report-of-the-inter-departmental-group-on-national-coastal-change-management-strategy/) are being implemented.
I am advised that the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage was assigned the lead coordination role to promote a joined-up, whole of government response to coastal change by all relevant Departments and Agencies having regard to their existing policy remits. The work of this Interdepartmental Group will ultimately lead to the preparation of comprehensive Coastal Change Management Plans.
The OPW has been designated by Government as the national lead coordinating body for the assessment of coastal change hazards and risks and the assessment of technical options and constraints. I understand that this work is underway across a range of projects including coastal surveys, erosion hazard mapping and the development of databases of coastal defences and past erosion incidents, which will contribute to the work of the Interdepartmental Steering Group on Coastal Change Management.
My Department is represented on the Interdepartmental Group by the Geological Survey Ireland given its expertise in modelling geological changes to our coasts.
At a national policy level, the National Adaptation Framework (NAF) developed by my Department outlines how various sectors and local authorities can implement adaptation measures to minimise Ireland's vulnerability to climate change's adverse effects while taking advantage of any beneficial impacts. The NAF emphasises the importance of integrating adaptation strategies into all levels of policy making, infrastructure development, and local planning. The Climate Act is clear that climate impacts are shared across Government with ownership assigned at sectoral level where the hazard can best be addressed.
The influence of climate change on coastal change is a single factor influencing the speed and scale of the coastal change that has and will occur. Management of the issue needs to integrate climate impacts into the existing policy responses. This is already the approach being taken by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage via the Interdepartmental Group as approved by Government.
