Prof Wiltshire argues that developments on Dublin's Poolbeg peninsula should be built on stilts to combat projected sea-level rises due to climate change. She highlights that Dublin and Cork experience the highest sea-level rise in Europe, noting a disconnect between climate change factors and planning legislation. This dissonance presents a significant challenge for ensuring developments are safe and sustainable in the face of climate threats.
In the context of adaptive strategies for coastal management, Prof Wiltshire mentioned that "where it is more economical to retreat from the coast, we are going to have to do it here in Ireland - though on a case-by-case basis." This reflects an emerging belief that rather than relying solely on hard engineering solutions to combat coastal flooding, it may sometimes be more beneficial to relocate further inland.
Addressing the relationship between academic institutions and industry funding, Prof Wiltshire defended the €1.5m funding from Cement Roadstone Holdings (CRH), stating, "The Government that paid my salary in the past never told me what to do, and the same applies with CRH. Only by engaging with industry can we develop new forms of technology, new ways of recycling, and using water." This highlights the importance of collaboration between academia and industry for advancing climate resilience.
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