Dublin city councillors have voted to reduce the height of part of the Clontarf sea wall, although this will mean it is below national flood protection standards.
Members of the public had complained that the height of the wall interfered with the sea view for motorists and council management said it will cost €230,000 to reduce the height.
Councillors voted by 34 votes to 21 to reduce the height of the partially built wall over a 500-metre section along the footpath in front of St Anne's Park to a minimum of 50cm.
The side of the wall facing the sea will be reduced from 4.25m to 3.95m.
City engineer John Flanagan said the new wall height will provide flood protection for a "certain period of time" but it will have to be revisited as sea levels are expected to rise by up to 7cm over the next ten years.
Councillor Rebecca Moynihan (Labour) said it was bizarre and irresponsible to reduce the wall for the benefit of motorists who should be keeping their eyes on the road instead of looking out to sea.
However local councillor Damian O'Farrell (Independent) said there had been a lot of misinformation as part of the wall had to be reduced anyway because it had been built too high.
He put the extra cost at closer to €60,000.
A further €300,000 will be spent on coping and blue cladding in a building programme agreed after two years consultation with local residents.
A report to councillors from management said the reduction in height would provide protection against a 100-year tidal event rather than the national standard of a 200-year tidal event, and for only half the allowance for sea level rise expected over the period to the end of the century.
Chief Executive Owen Keegan said the reduction was "against my advice".
Meanwhile, council officials say new accommodation will be found for 14 families who have to leave the Gresham Hotel.
Deputy chief executive Brendan Kenny said he is "very confident" that places will be found before the end of January.
He was speaking at the release of the monthly housing report in which the council says it has provided more than twice its target for homes for those on the housing list.
It says that from 2015 to 2017 there were 8,285 homes provided compared to a target of 3,347.
However, nearly half were assisted rental under the HAP scheme while the remainder were homes constructed or purchased, rapid build, restored voids and units provided under Part V regulation for new developments.
