asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the serious danger to which the residents of Rosslare village are exposed owing to continued sea erosion and, if so, if he will make available from the National Development Fund a grant for the purpose of providing protection works.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erosion at Rosslare.
I have received from the Wexford County Council a request that I should investigate the possibility of a grant from the National Development Fund towards any works considered necessary for the prevention of erosion at Rosslare strand. The council has requested the Office of Public Works to undertake any necessary protection works at the strand. The request to me will be considered when the responsibility for the making and execution of a scheme has been determined.
Is the Minister aware that this is an urgent matter and that further delay may be fatal? Is he further aware that £1,000,000 worth of property and the habitations of 1,000 human beings are at stake, if protection works are not erected before November next? It is as urgent as that. The county council has no responsibility whatever for the protection of this village and no State Department will take responsibility. I want to ask if the Minister is aware of the urgency of the matter and will he expedite a determination as to what State Department will be responsible for doing the work?
I am aware of the urgency of the matter and so also was an inter-departmental committee on coast erosion which was set up in 1931. It made certain recommendations, but nothing has ever been done about them.
It is more serious now than it was then.