To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail (i) the steps taken, and planned, to address coastal erosion and landslides in Northern Ireland as a result of climate change; and (ii) any conversations he has had with the National Trust in relation to the threat posed by such threats to the Giant’s Causeway.

Previous Ministers have concluded that current Northern Ireland policy on coastal management, the Bateman Formula from 1967, is now outdated. In addition, the absence of specific legislation in Northern Ireland governing coastal change has resulted in a lack of data on the state of our coastline, and little understanding on how our coastline is changing.

Recognising that current policy is no longer considered effective, in 2015 a Coastal Forum was established and co-chaired by the then Ministers for the Department of Regional Development and the Department of the Environment to discuss coastal issues and seek to adopt a more strategic approach to coastal change.

Current membership of the Coastal Forum comprises DAERA, DfI, Chief Executives of coastal councils and the NI Director of the National Trust, with access to expert advice as required. Its remit is to address gaps in Northern Ireland coastal management evidence and policy. I have called a meeting with Minister Mallon of DfI for later this month to discuss future arrangements for the Coastal Forum.

An analysis of existing Northern Ireland coastal data commissioned by the previous DAERA and DfI Ministers, which was published in 2019, concluded that scientifically robust data was required for the entire Northern Ireland coast to provide a basis for effective management policies.

My officials have worked closely with DfI and Coastal Forum members to devise a comprehensive Work Programme which is being managed by a Working Group of the Coastal Forum. The priority objective is to address the significant gaps in our coastline data and provide a reliable evidence base for effective coastal management. The Working Group has also provided decision makers with a position paper outlining current policy and best practice for Northern Ireland in the absence of data on coastal change.

My Department has recently secured £400,000 funding to address the lack of coastal data and contracts have been let to undertake a comprehensive coastal survey covering the entire Northern Ireland coast in early 2021. Supporting research on wave climate affecting the Ards Peninsula is ongoing, funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. My Department is also seeking further funding for this work area.

The National Trust is a key stakeholder in coastal management, responsible for 22% of the Northern Ireland coastline. As the Coastal Forum is the agreed mechanism through which members work collaboratively in progressing coastal issues, the National Trust have direct and ongoing input into the decision making process. I have recently agreed to meet the NI Director of the National Trust to discuss the development of updated coastal policy for Northern Ireland.