Vol. 521 No. 2
80 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the involvement his Department has in the Portmarnock dunes conservation scheme in Fingal, County Dublin, in view of the opinion of several experts that the reliance on hard engineering measures is not in the best interests of dune conservation in the long-term and the need to ensure the £200,000 allocated for the dunes conservation plan is spent wisely and well. [16796/00]
The dunes at Portmarnock are within the jurisdiction of Fingal County Council, and it is a matter for the local authority in the first instance to consider what conservation works may be required at the location. Any request made by the local authority for funding for coastal protection works will be fully considered by reference to all relevant technical engineering and other criteria, taking account also of the funding available and overall coastal protection priorities.
No funding for works at Portmarnock has been sought from my Department by Fingal County Council to date.
81 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has plans to regu late the practice of digging for bait in view of the sensitive nature of some stretches of coast affected by erosion or silting. [16797/00]
Traditionally, digging for bait has been a recognised activity and, provided that it is carried out using traditional methods and does not cause environmental damage, I do not propose to regulate it.
Where it is claimed that digging in a particular location is impacting adversely on the environment, I will have the particular case examined. If necessary, I will use the powers conferred upon me by the foreshore Acts to order the prohibition of digging for bait at that location.
