Vol. 277 No. 10
asked the Minister for Lands if he will consider having bent grass planted on the sand-hills at Cooltraig and Banna, County Kerry, as the grass has steadily decreased in the area and this will result in coastal erosion if the problem is not taken in hand.
29.
asked the Minister for Lands if he will arrange for the planting of bent grass on the sandunes in Ballyheigue and Banna, County Kerry, as the lack of grass in the dunes is causing much coastal erosion.
(Cavan): With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 29 together.
The Land Commission have investigated the question of sand-blowing in the Banna area, with particular reference to the townlands of Ballinprior and Commons. The report obtained is being considered but it is not yet possible to indicate what action, if any, the Land Commission may take in the matter.
In regard to the townland of Ballyheigue, the situation is that there is no agricultural land involved and accordingly this is not a case where the Land Commission would be prepared to take remedial action.
Because of the disappearance of bent grass from the sandunes there is a good deal of coast erosion in the Banna and Ballyheigue areas. The Land Commission set bent grass successfully in the Maharees and Castlegregory areas and this resulted in stopping coast erosion in those parts of the county. Therefore I appeal to the Minister to arrange for the setting of bent grass also in the areas referred to in the question. In winter sand is blown away quickly from these areas.
(Cavan): In regard to the Ballyheigue townland my information is that there is no agricultural land involved and, consequently, the matter is not one for my Department.
What about sand dunes?
(Cavan): These could hardly be regarded as agricultural land.
