Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 1

Adjournment Debate. - Wexford Coastal Erosion.

Mr. H. Byrne

I am grateful for the opportunity to raise the serious and important issue of Wexford coastal erosion which has brought into conflict two Government Ministers, Deputies Howlin and Higgins. On a visit to Wexford in 1996 the Minister would have discovered how soft is the coastline of Wexford as he was taken on a trip from north Cullenstown to Courtown where many areas are becoming eroded, whether by global warming or otherwise. Nevertheless acres of land are disappearing.

In Cullenstown houses are under threat and land is eroding. The houses are the property of local people, farmers, fishermen, retired people and regular summer visitors. Given the storms, the people are worried that the coastline is getting ever closer to their houses.

When the problem came to light about two years ago Wexford County Council addressed the issue and prepared a plan which it submitted to the Department of the Marine. Lo and behold, the Minister for the Environment, Deputy Howlin, was prepared to make available £100,000. Wexford County Council then proceeded to employ a contractor. At this stage the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Higgins, intervened and said the money could not be spent. This is remarkable coming from two Ministers in the same party and does not augur well for a future event.

The Minister visited Cullenstown and I have no doubt he understands the seriousness of the issue. When will the money be made available? Can the local people be assured their property, including land and houses, will be protected?

We had the awful situation in Wexford where one person objected and the Department of the Marine hid. The Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht decided to take over and agreed with this individual despite the fact that 21 county councillors were anxious to see the work proceed. I am disappointed the Minister, Deputy Higgins, does not care about the ordinary folk of Wexford or their property and is prepared to allow the houses disappear. We have the money, the plan and the contractor and are ready to go ahead. I await with interest what the Minister, Deputy Barrett, has to say. Due to pressure, officials from the Department of the Marine, Wexford County Council, the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, local interests and I visited Cullenstown last week. I understand the Department of the Marine was concerned about what was happening. I hope it can convince its counterparts in the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht of the seriousness of the issue and that the work should proceed. We will be in a worse position since a new area west of the ball alley needs protection.

It is believed locally that had the first area been protected, there would not be the current problem in the second area. I blame the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. It is a pity there is a conflict in Cabinet between two Ministers from the same party. Perhaps the Minister for the Marine, Deputy Barrett, will act as referee and allow the money, which we are told is available, to be spent in the interests of the people of Cullenstown and their property.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

My only involvement in the problem in Cullenstown is in dealing with the application from the county council for a foreshore lease to carry out the coast protection works. I have no other role to play.

Mr. H. Byrne

The Minister has now been appointed referee.

Mr. Barrett

The application was first made in August 1995. Further information sought was supplied by the applicant on 18 September 1995. Certain technical aspects of the applicant's methodology relating to construction of the proposed works had to be clarified before the applicant could be given permission to publish the application for the purpose of public consultation.

Following publication of the applicant's proposal on 24 January 1996, two objections were received, one from the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Office of Public Works. Both objectors called for an assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed coast protection works to ensure that they would not adversely affect important conservation sites in the area. The Office of Public Works originally passed on its concerns to Wexford County Council last August. I am anxious to see the necessary works proceed but cannot decide on the application until the wildlife issues have been sorted out.

Mr. H. Byrne

What about human life?

Mr. Barrett

I am speaking about the responsibilities I have under the law. I cannot ignore the law. In Cullenstown, the mouth of the Cull lagoon has been moving progressively westwards, pushed in this direction by the steadily growing Ballyteigue Burrow, itself a designated area of scientific interest and intended to be a special protection area under the habitats directive.

Mr. H. Byrne

If there is anything left.

Mr. Barrett

If the erosion continues there is a risk to the public road access to commercial and residential properties and a risk of loss of livelihood, housing, tourist accommodation and amenities. The council proposes strengthening and extending the existing groyne, cutting through the burrow and placing sand in the old channel at an estimated cost of £108,000, and has secured funding from my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Deputy Howlin, for this purpose. The application to me under the Foreshore Acts for consent to the works is on hold, pending a more detailed examination of the impact and potential impact on the protected species and habitats within the special protection area.

Only last week a meeting between officials of the county council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and my Department took place to establish what additional material and studies must be provided and carried out by the local authority to allow my colleague, the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Higgins, to discharge his responsibilities under the habitats directive on behalf of the State. It is intended, on foot of the results of the collaboration between these three bodies, to propose an overall protection and development scheme combining protection of physical and environmental resources with local economic and tourism development.

In the course of the site meeting last week it was also observed in Cullenstown that the storms of the previous 72 hours had stripped an extent of sand from the beach in the vicinity of the parking area and the ball alley. I understand the county council is proceeding with emergency remedial measures at that location. I am aware of the concerns of the local people and I understand them. As far as my Department is concerned, I will ensure that pressure is applied to get a final resolution of this matter so I can deal with the foreshore application.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.15 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 11 March 1997.