AQW 829/16-21

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 08/06/2016
Answered On Date: 01/07/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what actions his Department will take during 2016-17 to progress research into coastal management and defences; and to ensure that any research includes consultation with coastal erosion groups such as the Ards Peninsula Coastal Erosion Group.

Answer:

I am very aware of the issues relating to coastal erosion and coastal management, and my Department has some important roles to play in addressing these issues.

I welcome the initiative taken by the former Minister for Regional Development last year in establishing a Coastal Management Forum, and I look forward to working with the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to build on this. This Forum has brought together relevant organisations including local councils, the National Trust and Government agencies under the chairmanship of Ministers. An outcome from the Forum has been bids by some councils for funding to commission research into costal management issues. I understand that the National Trust is also seeking to commission some research. The Coastal Management Forum will seek to ensure that the outcome of any research will be shared with all relevant parties including local interest groups.

My Department is currently engaged with the Ards Peninsula Coastal Erosion Group (APCEG) and I commend the achievements of this group in highlighting the issues of coastal management. There is an important role to be played by community based groups in addressing coastal management issues and my Department will continue to engage with APCEG and any other like minded groups as appropriate.