asked the Minister for Local Government if he will indicate the extent to which Dublin ratepayers will be involved in the cost of acquisition of sand dunes at Brittas Bay; and why this should not be a national charge.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Brittas Bay Sand Dunes.
39.
Eighty acres of sand dune at Brittas Bay were acquired by Wicklow County Council to ensure conservation and provide for use as a public amenity. In view of the extensive use of the area by residents of Dublin city and county, including Dún Laoghaire, the authorities in these areas agreed to contribute to the acquisition and development. This is a matter for the authorities concerned.
I understand that the total cost of acquisition and development to date is £30,974 and the local authority contributions are as follows:
|
Wicklow County Council |
£7,987 |
|
Dublin Corporation |
£5,703 |
|
Dublin County Council |
£1,759 |
|
Dún Laoghaire Corporation |
£525 |
I welcome this co-operation between the local authorities and see no basis for the suggestion of a national charge, but my Department has contributed £15,000 by way of amenity grant.
It must be quite obvious to the Minister that people from many other counties in Leinster at least, and perhaps even farther away, enjoy those amenities. As they are enjoyed by such an extensive variety of people would it not have been more equitable to have had it as a national charge as distinct from local authority charges?
No. I do not agree.