Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - Coastal Protection.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

351 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands whether her attention has been drawn to the recent very serious degradation of the seashore environment at Banna Strand, County Kerry; whether, in view of the sensitivity of the ecosystem there and the historical significance of the site, her Department has put steps in train to identify and press charges against the perpetrators; the measures, if any, she will be bringing forward to ward off the possibility of a recurrence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15865/98]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

352 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if, having regard to the recent destruction of the foreshore environment and ecosystem at Carrahane and Banna, County Kerry, an area designated for conservation by the European Environment Agency, she proposes to make available the resources necessary to have the sand dunes there reinstated and re-seeded with marram grass, the freshwater pond infill removed and the site integrated with the surrounding special area of conservation or special protection area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15866/98]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 351 agus Uimh. 352 le chéile.

Dúchas, my Department's Heritage Service is aware that areas in the Banna region which are within a proposed natural heritage area (NHA) have recently been worked on.

The work in question appears to be subject to planning permission, and it is therefore a matter in the first instance for Kerry County Council. The council has contacted my Department for advice on how the ecology of the site can best be restored, and the relevant officials of Dúchas have made themselves available to the council in this context.