asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware of the serious coastal erosion in County Louth which is resulting in the heavy loss of good agricultural land; if he is aware that in some areas like Annagassan the sea has almost reached the main road; the plans his Department has to deal with these urgent matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Louth Coast Erosion.
38.
Under the Coast Protection Act, 1963, the Commissioners of Public Works may undertake examinations of coast erosion problems and execute coast protection schemes only in response to specific proposals made by local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
No proposal for a scheme at Annagassan has been made by Louth County Council but three proposals have been received in respect of Castletown, Dundalk, Gyles Quay, Dundalk Bay and Sea Bank, Castlebellingham. The commissioners have made a statutory determination that the circumstances at Castletown are not such as to warrant a scheme. In the case of Gyles Quay, a preliminary examination has been undertaken and a report thereon is under consideration with a view to making a statutory determination as to whether a scheme is warranted and feasible. A preliminary examination has yet to be undertaken at Sea Bank, Castlebellingham, and, having regard to the large number of prior proposals received from other local authorities, I cannot say when it will be reached for examination.