By virtue of a Government decision in 1978, CIE are "responsible for the provision of beach material for the nourishment of Rosslare Strand". This decision was based on the view that the harbour works carried out by CIE in Rosslare impacted significantly on the erosion of the strand. In 1982, the Government further "decided that the costs arising from the provision and transportation of beach material to counter coastal erosion at Rosslare Strand should be borne as to 80 per cent by CIE and as to 20 per cent by Wexford County Council."
Iarnrod Éireann have been providing beach material at Rosslare Strand at three year intervals, 1983, 1986 and 1989. By agreement the nourishment due to be provided in 1992 by Iarnrod Éireann was deferred to 1993. This was to enable previously constructed rock groynes to be extended to accommodate the nourishment. Discussions with Iarnrod Éireann regarding their contribution towards the provision of beach nourishment are currently being finalised. I do not see this beach nourishment exercise as CIE's final contribution. It is my intention to ensure that the spirit and intention of the earlier Government decisions is fully respected by CIE, and while the Department and Wexford County Council are active in works to mitigate the problem, I will expect CIE to make its contribution as and when required, in line with that Government decision.
The Department of the Marine's approach to the erosion problem at Rosslare Strand is to construct protection works in a systematic manner phased over a number of years. The current phase, the construction and extension of rock groynes and the placing of nourishment in the resulting compartments, will have cost approximately £1.5 million by the end of 1994. Any protection works that may be undertaken after 1994 will depend upon analysis of the success of the current phase. The works will, however, contribute significantly to reducing the long term level of erosion at the strand.
