Social Democrats councillor for the Rush Lusk ward, Paul Mulville, has called on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to allow homeowners suffering the effects of coastal erosion the chance to give personal testimony to a Government taskforce on the issue.
Cllr Mulville said:
“Minister Darragh O’Brien has assembled the National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group, which is to be welcomed. This group is to meet monthly and report within six months.
“It is made up of senior civil and public servants, as well as representatives of local Government management, who will have experience around the issues and will hopefully hear expert opinion.
“However, one important group of people have been left out – local homeowners who are suffering the effects of coastal erosion and flooding right now. They must also be given a seat at the table.
“People who have lost their homes and properties to coastal erosion and flooding – or are at risk from it – cannot be left out in the cold. The testimony of their lived experience must be considered by this Government taskforce.
“When this taskforce reports before the end of March next year, local people’s needs must form part of the findings and recommendations.”
October 2, 2020