Vol. 496 No. 1
82 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the work, if any, which has been carried out to date on the Bray coastal protection scheme; the future works which will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21948/98]
Work has commenced on phase 1 of the Bray coastal protection scheme. These works, which consist of the construction of a groyne and breakwater, will cost some £1.7 million and are scheduled to be completed in the first half of 1999. Further works will be necessary to provide the requisite level of protection for Bray's historic seafront. No contracts for the further phases of the protection scheme have been entered into, however, and the nature of these additional works is not constrained by the works already in progress.
I have gone to considerable lengths to ensure Bray Urban District Council was in a position to make informed decisions about the protection scheme. Consulting engineers engaged by my Department evaluated alternatives for the works to follow phase 1, and a range of options was put to the council last year. The urban district council decided to proceed with the scheme as originally proposed.
Any decision to revisit the alternative proposals for the later phases of the scheme rests with Bray Urban District Council. For my part, I remain committed to working in close co-operation with the local authority to ensure the scheme undertaken serves the best interests of Bray and its people.
