asked the Minister for Finance the proposals his Department have for the stabilisation of sand dunes by the planting of suitable grass or by some form of fertilisation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sand Dune Stabilisation.
142.
Mr. Kenny
The Office of Public Works have responsibility for an area of sand dunes of Derrynane National Historic Park. Coast erosion has been experienced there and is being combatted by engineering works and by planting marram grass.
Have you learned how to stop the cattle getting across?
Mr. Kenny
There are no cattle there now.
You have managed to keep them out?
Mr. Kenny
We were down there and there are no tracks of cattle there at all.
Did the Parliamentary Secretary mention the erection of a cheap plastic wind break for the stabilisation of sand dunes? I believe experiments have been carried out by the Agricultural Institute in this regard.
Mr. Kenny
The methods they have in Derrynane, which I saw myself and they would seem to be proving effective, include the construction of brush wood fences and laying down artificial mesh materials, both of which serve to trap sand, the planting of marram grass and various fertilisation procedures to accelerate revegetation. There is no mention of plastic here.
The cheap mesh would probably come into that category.