asked the Minister for Finance what are the future plans of his Department with regard to coast erosion at Rosslare Strand, County Wexford.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Coast Erosion.
18.
It is proposed to continue the coast protection works at Rosslare Strand in 1962/ 63 and to bring them to completion in 1963/64. My Department is in communication with the Wexford County Council in regard to their contribution towards the cost.
19.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will take steps to reduce the serious effects of coast erosion along the west coast of Ireland.
20.
asked the Minister for Finance whether in view of the serious damage caused by coast erosion in South West Cork he will state what proposals his Department have for dealing with this problem; what works, if any, are at present in hand for the purpose of preventing such damage; and what stage has been reached in the carrying out of each of any such works.
22.
asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the increasingly deteriorating situation created by the encroachment of the sea at Cahore village, County Wexford in which the public road and many residences are immediately threatened; and that a drainage scheme in the area is also exposed to flooding if any further advance of the sea takes place in this area; and if he will take immediate steps to initiate works to protect this village, as, otherwise, further easterly storms may make it necessary to evacuate the residents.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 19, 20 and 22 together.
As I stated here recently, the introduction of legislation to enable coast protection works to be dealt with is under active consideration.
Have Wexford County Council yet indicated if they are prepared to contribute to this work and, if so, how much?
Wexford County Council, up to recently, have been contributing one-third of the cost annually, in fact, up to the present, £25,000. For future work they have intimated they would not be prepared to make any further contribution and negotiations are taking place now between the County Council and my Department.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that representations have been made to his Department for advice in the case of Cahore and that no reply has been received? In the light of the emergency that exists there, will the Parliamentary Secretary look into the matter?
Yes, certainly.
When the Parliamentary Secretary says "under active consideration" does he mean that legislation will be brought before this House?
It is under consideration.
Would it also be true to say that it has been under consideration for the past eight years?
No.
Will the legislation come this year?
Yes; it will be a good Bill.
It will probably be a big bill.