To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether his Department is planning to introduce legislation to address coastal erosion.

Officials in my Department and DfI have been tasked to look at policy options around coastal erosion risk management.

Currently there is no specific legislation in Northern Ireland to address coastal change, resulting in a lack of targeted resources and scientific data to assist in coastal management. This gap has been recognised for some time and my Department is working collaboratively with DfI, coastal councils and the National Trust in a Coastal Forum.