asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that sea sand has been carted for manurial purposes by farmers all over South and West Cork for generations; that dressings of such sand are in many cases indispensable for the production of cereals and root crops; that recently farmers have been prevented from carting sand except under licence for which a fee has to be paid, and which limits them to a certain quantity; that each tide brings in sand in such bulk that there are always thousands of tons available daily, and that there is no danger of erosion as a result of the removal of sand; and, if so, if he will take immediate steps to ensure that farmers will have freedom at all times to secure their requirements of this necessary ingredient for the profitable production of their crops.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Restrictions on Users of Sea Sand.
I am aware that it has been the practice for farmers in County Cork to remove sand from the foreshore for manurial purposes and that such material is greatly valued for that purpose.
I have the responsibility for the control and management of State-owned foreshore and am empowered by Section 3 of the Foreshore Act, 1933, to regulate in the public interest the removal of beach material by the grant of licences. Where a fee is charged for a licence the sum is merely a nominal acknowledgment of the rights and interests of the State, but in fact no fee is charged where the annual quantity involved does not exceed 25 tons. There is no intention to restrict removals unnecessarily and, generally speaking, quantities are not curtailed save in areas where there is danger of coast erosion.
I cannot accept without reservation the statement that there are always thousands of tons available daily and that the removal of sand involves no danger of erosion.