Time to consider the options for a long term strategy of coastal protection along the Irish coastline. Some areas need immediate attention to protect them from inundation by the sea, however there are other areas which may not need any protection. Important productive agricultural lands and urban areas need to be assessed and considered for protection from the sea. Less important agricultural lands may perhaps be allowed to revert to the sea. Controversial, yes indeed. However, the facts are that complete protection of our coastline is not practical nor is it financially possible.
The sooner a long term plan is put in place in which areas that are threatened by the sea are categorised according to importance economically (tourism, food production, habitats and especially for human habitation) the more we will be prepared to tackle what will be a major issue for our local communities now and in the future.
Such a plan needs to involve many stake-holders in a transparent and open debate locally and nationally.More importantly, we cannot wait for the next big storms and the misery that that will bring - action on a viable planning stage needs to be now.
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