asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the serious problem existing at Enniscrone, County Sligo, due to coast erosion; and if he will give this matter urgent attention.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Sligo Coast Erosion.
114.
A proposal under the Coast Protection Act, 1963 in this case is under consideration.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that part of the road structure leading in the direction of Enniscrone is in imminent danger of collapsing due to erosion? Will he indicate what is envisaged to protect part of this well-known tourist resort from being washed into the sea?
Mr. Kenny
This proposal for coast protection works at Enniscrone was received from Sligo County Council on 18th February, 1969. It was investigated by the Office of Public Works engineers and found to have special aspects not only from the point of view of the protection works but also because it was necessary to relate the work to Enniscrone as a popular seaside resort. Proposals were eventually agreed with the local authority. The cost of the proposed scheme would be something like £85,000. Sligo County Council agreed to contribute half this sum and a decision from the Minister for Finance to contribute the other half is awaited. A feature of the scheme will be the provision of promenades and terracing in the tourist interest. I feel certain the road in question will be adequately buttressed and fortified against erosion.
I understood the Parliamentary Secretary to say that ministerial sanction for the Government contribution has not yet been given?
Mr. Kenny
It is awaited.
I see in the book of Estimates that the total amount allocated in the coming year is £79,500. If we deal with the particular problem the Deputy has in mind it will leave very little for other schemes. When I was on the other side of the House——
We cannot have a speech at Question Time.
I was very anxious that we should view coast protection as a matter of urgency.
This is not a specific question.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary urge the Government to increase the allocation under this heading?
Mr. Kenny
Yes, that can be arranged, but may I remind the Deputy that this proposal came before him in 1969? That is four years ago, and it should have been dealt with before this.
I do not want to get into an argument, but the difficulty there was lack of qualified, skilled staff——
Arguments are not in order at Question Time.
——and the Parliamentary Secretary knows this.
At Parliamentary Secretary level.
At engineering level. I shall not take any dirty rubs from the Minister for Finance.