Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Feb 1992

Vol. 416 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Removal of Foreshore Sand.

Roger T. Garland

Question:

7 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline, (a) the number of licences which have been issued for the removal of sand over the last ten years, (b) the beaches involved and (c) the amount of sand removed on each occasion; whether he intends to issue any further such licences this year; and if so, if he will outline the amount of sand and the locations involved.

Dr. Woods

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in a table which I propose to have circulated in the Official Report. The table schedules the permissions granted under section 3 (3) of the Foreshore Act, 1933 for the removal of sand from the State foreshore since 1 January 1982, with particulars of the locations involved, the dates of authorisation and the amount of sand authorised under each licence. Such licences are temporary in nature and are for no more than six weeks duration.

In total, 211 such licences were granted in the period in question. Details of licences are forwarded to the relevant local authority and Garda Síochána as being best placed to monitor compliance with the terms of the said licences. The preservation and protection of our beaches and seashore is now an important environmental priority.

Apart from direct amenity losses such removals can have a deleterious impact on the seashore generally. The small scale removal of sand for various purposes from the foreshore in many localities around the coast is a long established practice. In some instances, indeed, rights to remove beach material may have been gained in common law, based on the customary exercise of those rights. It is generally acknowledged, however, that advances in technology have increased the practical scope for large scale removal of beach material and I am aware that this practice has increased substantially, in pace and scale in recent years.

I can assure the Deputy that any further licences will only be issued where I am fully satisfied on the basis of consultation with, inter alia, local authorities, that the removal involved would pose no threat to the local environment and is otherwise in the public interest. There are no such applications on hand in my Department at present. In addition, I will be deploying all the existing powers available to me under the 1933 Act to protect beaches from large scale depredations. These control mechanisms include the serving of prohibitory notices or the making of prohibitory orders. These will be utilised to the full as, for example, in the case of Ballybunion, County Kerry, where a prohibitory order was made in 1990 and a 1977 licence to remove beach material was revoked last year.

I am working on proposals for Government which are designed to strengthen substantively the State's capacity to protect the foreshore and seashore against damage from removals of beach material. The envisaged approach, which has been the subject of detailed consultation with other Departments, includes the creation of appropriate offences and penalties for unauthorised removals. The question of enforcement will also be comprehensively addressed as will the key question of the use of mechanical diggers and the like.

APPENDIX 1

Cork

Licence Issued	Beach/Townland	Amount in Tons
1. 29/1/1982	Rosscarbery	65
2. 29/1/1982	Rosscarbery	30
3. 29/1/1982	Rosscarbery	30
4. 29/1/1982	Rosscarbery	50
5. 29/1/1982	Rosscarbery	25
6. 29/1/1982	Rosscarbery	20
7. 29/1/1982	Rosscarbery	25
8. 29/1/1982	Rosscarbery	50
9. 29/1/1982	Rosscarbery	25
10. 29/1/1982	Rosscarbery	30
11. Feb. 1982	Ballincurrig	20
12. Feb. 1982	Ballincurrig	20
13. 19/2/1982	Rosscarbery	30
14. 26/2/1982	Rosscarbery	25
15. 19/5/1982	Rosscarbery	20
16. 1/6/1982	Ardgroom	30
17. 25/6/1982	Dunworly	26
18. 25/6/1982	Ballinaglanna	25
19. 25/6/1982	Dunworly	20
20. 25/6/1982	Dunworly	50
21. 25/6/1982	Lissacrimeen	40
22. 16/7/1982	Castlefreke	50
23. 3/8/1982	Clonakilty	30
24. 26/8/1982	Rosscarbery	25
25. 14/9/1982	Rosscarbery	50
26. Oct. 1982	Rosscarbery	26
27. 27/10/1982	Rosscarbery	30
28. 22/11/1982	Desert Strand	40
29. 1/12/1982	Rosscarbery	100
30. 1/12/1982	Rosscarbery	25
31. 23/12/1982	Rosscarbery	50
32. 21/1/1983	Castlefreke	25
33. 1/2/1983	Desert Strand	50
34. 1/6/1983	Desert Strand	10
35. July 1983	Lehannagh	30
36. Sept. 1983	Desert Strand	40
37. Oct. 1983	Rosscarbery	10
38. Oct. 1983	Rosscarbery	10
39. Nov. 1983	Desert Strand	40
40. Nov. 1983	Rosscarbery	5
41. Jan. 1984	Desert Strand	5
42. Feb. 1984	Muckross	10
43. Feb. 1984	Rosscarbery	10
44. Feb. 1984	Muckross	25
45. Aug. 1984	Desert Strand	3
46. Sept. 1984	Rosscarbery	25
47. Oct. 1984	Rosscarbery	30
48. Oct. 1984	Desert Strand	5
49. Oct. 1984	Rosscarbery	4
50. Oct. 1984	Rosscarbery	20
51. Nov. 1984	Rosscarbery	20
52. Nov. 1984	Desert Strand	40
53. Nov. 1984	Desert Strand	20
54. Dec. 1984	Desert Strand	10
55. Dec. 1984	Desert Strand	5
56. Nov. 1985	Rosscarbery	30
57. Nov. 1985	Rosscarbery	25
58. Jan. 1986	Rosscarbery	45
59. Jan. 1986	Rosscarbery	25
60. Jan. 1986	Desert Strand	60
61. Jan. 1986	Rosscarbery	20
62. Jan. 1986	Lissacrimeen	50
63. May. 1986	Rosscarbery	30
64. May. 1986	Rosscarbery	200
65. Feb. 1987	Clonakilty	10
66. June 1987	Rosscarbery	100
67. Sept. 1987	Dunmore	20
68. Dec. 1987	Desert Stand	100
69. Apr. 1988	Lonagh	25
70. Feb. 1989	Clonakilty	100
71. Apr. 1989	Clonakilty	30
72. Apr. 1989	Muckross	25
73. Apr. 1989	Clonakilty	10
73. Apr. 1989	Clonakilty	12
75. June 1989	Rosscarbery	250
76. 14/9/1989	Castlefreke	20
77. 17/10/1989	Rosscarbery	40
78. 14/12/1989	Desert Strand	5
79. 25/1/1990	Clonakilty	100
80. 25/1/1990	Castlefreke	5
81. Jan. 1990	Castlefreke	18
82. 11/5/1990	Rosscarbery	200
83. 30/5/1990	Clonakilty	2
84. 7/12/1990	Castlefreke	30
85. 7/12/1990	Clonakilty	100
86. 14/1/1991	Rosscarbery	200
87. 3/3/1991	Clonakilty	150
88. 11/4/1991	Lissagriffin	30
89. 11/4/1991	Lissagriffin	25
	Total:	3,626

APPENDIX 2

Donegal

Licence Issued	Beach/Townland	Amount in Tons
1. 13/5/1982	Ballynarry	50
2. 13/5/1982	Ballynarry	26
3. 11/10/1982	Cabry	100
4. 1/11/1982	Mossyglen	40
5. 1/11/1982	Mossyglen	25
6. Nov. 1982	Mossyglen	25
7. Nov. 1982	Mossyglen	25
8. Apr. 1983	Mossyglen	50
9. Apr. 1983	Mossyglen	50
10. Apr. 1983	Mossyglen	50
11. Apr. 1983	Mossyglen	30
12. Apr. 1983	Mossyglen	50
13. Apr. 1983	Mossyglen	50
14. Apr. 1983	Mossyglen	50
15. May 1983	Mossyglen	50
16. 1/6/1983	Mossyglen	25
17. Sept. 1983	Lisfannon	1
18. Feb. 1984	Mossyglen	25
19. Feb. 1984	Mossyglen	10
20. Feb. 1984	Mossyglen	10
21. Feb. 1984	Mossyglen	50
22. Feb. 1984	Mossyglen	25
23. Apr. 1984	Dunree	30
24. May 1984	Mossyglen	50
25. May 1984	Mossyglen	50
26. May 1984	Mossyglen	25
27. May 1984	Mossyglen	25
28. May 1984	Mossyglen	50
29. July 1984	Ballynarry	25
30. Jan. 1985	Ballynarry	30
31. Mar. 1985	Ballynarry	30
32. Mar. 1985	Mossyglen	40
33. Mar. 1985	Mossyglen	50
34. Mar. 1985	Mossyglen	30
35. Mar. 1985	Mossyglen	30
36. Mar. 1985	Mossyglen	25
37. Mar. 1985	Mossyglen	25
38. Mar. 1985	Mossyglen	25
39. Mar. 1985	Mossyglen	60
40. April 1985	Mossyglen	20
41. May 1985	Ballynarry	50
42. Sept. 1985	Cruit Island	30
43. Sept. 1985	Binnion	50
44. Mar. 1986	Mossyglen	60
45. Apr. 1986	Mossyglen	40
46. May 1986	Ballynarry	20
47. May 1986	Binnion	15
48. May 1986	Mossyglen	25
49. May 1986	Mossyglen	25
50. July 1986	Mossyglen	40
51. Sept. 1986	Mossyglen	40
52. Sept. 1986	Binnion	50
53. Sept. 1986	Binnion	50
54. Sept. 1986	Binnion	10
55. Sept. 1986	Binnion	20
56. Sept. 1986	Binnion	40
57. Sept. 1986	Binnion	25
58. Sept. 1986	Ballynarry	50
59. Sept. 1986	Ballynarry	20
60. Sept. 1986	Mossyglen	25
61. Sept. 1986	Mossyglen	30
62. Sept. 1986	Mossyglen	40
63. Oct. 1986	Binnion	25
64. Oct. 1986	Binnion	25
65. Feb. 1987	Binnion	30
66. Feb. 1987	Kinnegoe Bay	40
67. Feb. 1987	Binnion	40
68. Mar. 1987	Binnion	40
69. Mar. 1987	Kinnegoe Bay	25
70. Mar. 1987	Kinnegoe Bay	25
71. Mar. 1987	Kinnegoe Bay	40
72. Mar. 1987	Binnion	40
73. May 1987	Binnion	25
74. Aug. 1987	Binnion	40
75. Aug. 1987	Binnion	25
76. Mar. 1988	Kinnegoe Bay	25
77. July 1988	Stragill	50
78. July 1988	Binnion	30
79. July 1988	Stragill	30
80. July 1988	Stragill	20
81. July 1988	Mossyglen	30
82. July 1988	Mossyglen	25
83. July 1988	Mossyglen	50
84. July 1988	Mossyglen	30
85. Nov. 1988	Kinnegar	26
86. Jan. 1989	Binnion	25
87. 9/10/1989	Kinnegoe Bay	40
88. 9/10/1989	Stragill	50
89. 9/10/1989	Binnion	20
90. 9/10/1989	Binnion	25
91. 13/10/1989	Kinnegoe Bay	30
92. 13/10/1989	Binnion	10
93. 13/10/1989	Kinnegoe Bay	25
94. Oct. 1989	Kinnegoe Bay	20
95. Oct. 1989	Mossyglen	25
96. 19/10/1989	Stragill	40
97. 6/4/1990	Burtonport	25
	Total:	3,263

APPENDIX 3

Kerry

Licence Issued	Beach/Townland	Amount in Tons
1. Feb. 1982	Rathkieran	25
2. 4/1/1983	Rathkieran	80
3. Feb. 1984	Rathkieran	10
4. Oct. 1984	Rathkieran	100
5. Nov. 1984	Rathkieran	100
6. Feb. 1985	Rathkieran	55
7. Mar. 1986	Rathkieran	25
8. May 1986	Rathkieran	60
9. Jan. 1987	Rathkieran	25
10. Feb. 1987	Rathkieran	20
11. Feb. 1987	Rathkieran	50
12. Jan. 1988	Rathkieran	25
13. Apr. 1988	Lissagriffin	100
14. Sept. 1988	Rathkieran	30
	Total:	705

APPENDIX 4

Galway

Licence Issued	Beach/Townland	Amount in Tons
1. Jan. 1985	Errisbeg West	4
2. Apr. 1985	Drimeen	20
3. Feb. 1986	Errisbeg West	5
4. May 1987	Errisbeg West	5
5. 17/10/1989	Calla (Roundstone)	20
6. 22/10/1989	Calla (Roundstone)	20
7. 19/12/1989	Errisbeg West	5
8. 22/3/1991	Errisbeg West	30
	Total:	109

APPENDIX 5

Dublin

Licence Issued	Beach/Townland	Amount in Tons
1. July 1988	Portmarnock	12
	Total:	12

Mayo

1. Sept. 1988	Lacken Pier	25
	Total:	25

Wexford

1. Sept. 1987	Kilmichael	40
	Total:	40

SUMMARY

County	Tonnage	No. of Licences
Cork	3,626	89
Donegal	3,263	97
Galway	109	8
Kerry	705	14
Dublin	12	1
Mayo	25	1
Wexford	40	1
	7,780	211

Mr. Garland

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply; I intend to study it. I am glad he referred to Ballybunion because the situation is very bad there. Is the Minister aware that, since the licence was revoked, sand has been removed from the beach? Will he agree that the present fine of £10 for removing sand is totally inadequate and that we urgently need legislation in this area?

Dr. Woods

I am working on proposals for Government which are designed to strengthen the capacity of the State to protect the foreshore. They include the creation of new offences and penalities for unathorised removal and I hope they will be in place soon.

Mr. McCormack

What are the regulations in relation to land owners whose property adjoins the sea and foreshore taking sand?

Dr. Woods

I presume that the same regulations apply in the sense that if sand is taken from the foreshore it is under the aegis of the Foreshore Act and the same conditions apply. Over the year people took small quantities for very simple purposes which had virtually no effect. However, the problem has increased in recent years since the advent of mechanical diggers which means that people take substantial quantities. This must be controlled.

Mr. McCormack

In his former position as Minister for Agriculture, Deputy Woods, is aware that some western farmers, particularly those living near the sea, use sand as a mixture for compost and fertiliser purposes. Is that covered by the Act to which the Minister referred?

Dr. Woods

Much of that sand comes from inland sources as well as being taken from the beach. Obviously licences apply if anyone wants to use sand for the kind of purpose to which the Deputy referred; it would depend on the quantity and the position in relation to the foreshore and the beach. There are substantial problems in relation to many beaches which must be tackled and I am keen to address them. We will have an opportunity in this House to discuss the proposals being prepared and various elements will be taken into consideration at that time.