Rising Coastal Erosion Risks in Wexford and Nationwide

Deputy Malcolm Byrne has highlighted the growing threat of coastal erosion to communities along the Wexford coastline particularly at Courtown Beach. A recent report from GammaRisk a company that assesses risks for insurance providers has raised alarm over the potential impact of rising sea levels and extreme weather events on properties and infrastructure across Ireland. The report reveals that more than 100,000 homes around the Irish coast are at risk of damage from coastal erosion by 2050. In County Wexford alone 1,420 homes are identified as being in danger of erosion in the coming years. Deputy Byrne emphasized the urgent need for action to improve coastal resilience and protect vulnerable communities. He called for measures such as beach replenishment and the protection of key infrastructure to be included in Ireland’s National Development Plan. Byrne acknowledged the challenge of protecting Wexford's coastline which consists largely of sandy and clay areas but stressed that the priority should be safeguarding people's homes and critical infrastructure like roads. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and sea levels continuing to rise Byrne’s message is clear: Ireland must invest in long-term coastal protection strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change. He warned that without proper investment in coastal resilience we risk losing homes and vital infrastructure to the sea.