—which, added to Deputy Carey's generous donation, has meant that considerable works have taken place. The county council's estimate of the cost of the required work is £1.25 million. That is its estimate, not mine. We are preparing a programme of works and I do not want to pre-empt county council discussions. I asked the various county council committees to meet me. It would be wrong to make any decisions prior to those meetings. The least I owe the county councils' islands' committee, the Galway one of which Deputy McCormack is a member, is that I will listen to what they have to say before making the decision on this year's allocation.
I realise that coastal protection works on islands is vital. The funds available from other sources are limited and it is necessary to try to work out, in partnership with county councils, within the limited funding, a coastal protection plan which is based on necessity and cost benefit. The benefit should outweigh the cost because there is such a demand for money.