Vol. 429 No. 3
47 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine if he has observed the dramatic effects of erosion at Portrane coastline; and the steps, if any, he intends to take to protect the coast and adjacent property having specific regard to EC funding.
Primary responsibility for coast protection rests with local authorities, some of which have undertaken work themselves. The Department of the Marine's role is to facilitate the implementation of permanent protection schemes, where warranted, to prevent progressive erosion by the sea.
In order to formulate a programme of coast protection works for the next few years, the Department of the Marine wrote to all maritime local authorities in 1991 requesting them to submit a list of priorities for coast protection projects which they consider would be warranted and feasible and for which they are prepared to make funds available.
Drawing, inter alia, on the submissions received from local authorities, plans for a comprehensive coast protection programme have been drawn up in the context of the allocation of the next round of Structural Funds. Decisions have yet to be made by the Government on the priority and funding to be attached to this programme.
As regards a coastal protection scheme for Portrane I have not received any proposals from the local authority concerned relating to this stretch of coastline.
