Vol. 437 No. 6
351 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Marine if he has approved a coastal protection scheme for the Seafield/Corbawn area of south County Dublin; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that serious coastal erosion is occurring at this location and that the cliff faces are now dangerous and pose a serious threat to public safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Primary responsibility for coastal protection lies with the property owner, whether it be a private individual or a local authority. The Department of the Marine's role is to work in conjunction with local authorities on the Management of the Coastal Zone rather than individual sites.
EU Structural Funds are being provided under the National Plan to help address the growing problem of coastal erosion. In this regard a sum of £5.5 million is to be made available over the period 1994 through 1999.
In order to draw up a National Coastal Protection Plan, all maritime local authorities were invited to submit proposals for addressing serious erosion problems in their administrative areas. The then Dublin County Council identified, among others, Corbawn and Shanganagh in South County Dublin, as locations requiring consideration. All proposals submitted are being considered with a view to their possible inclusion in the Plan.
