Vol. 414 No. 4
9 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for the Marine the amount of money allocated to coast protection in 1991; if he has satisfied himself that local authorities have the ability to adequately protect and maintain our coastline; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The allocation to the Department of the Marine for coast protection in 1991 is £593,000.
Primary responsibility for coast protection rests with local authorities, some of which have undertaken protection work themselves. My Department's role is to assist those authorities, financially and technically, in dealing with the problem of coastal erosion. I am satisfied that these arrangements enable necessary works to be undertaken. The Deputy will appreciate that progress with schemes is, of course, dependent upon the resources which are available.
I am aware that a National Coastal Erosion Committee, comprising county engineers, are examining the coastal erosion problem in depth at present. This will show how the issue is perceived by the local authorities and I look forward to receiving their report. My Department have already identified a number of locations around the coast where valuable property is threatened by erosion. This whole issue is under consideration in my Department at present. In this context, my Department have written to all maritime local authorities requesting stipulated information and prioritised proposals in respect of coastal erosion in their areas. When this data, and the report of the National Coastal Erosion Committee are received, I hope to be in a position to decide the most appropriate national approach and mechanism for dealing with this serious problem.
I know the Minister is very familiar with the problems in Arklow and Bray, County Wicklow, and he has been helpful in tackling them particularly in Arklow. Will he agree that the cost of dealing with the problem of coastal erosion or harbour protection works is inordinately expensive and that the finances of local authorities, especially maritime local authorities, are in a perilous condition? Will he agree that the State, in the form of the Minister's Department, should bear the cost? No attempt has been made to get money from the European Regional Fund or to negotiate cheaper loans from the European Investment Bank. Will the Taoiseach in his discussions today ask whether there is a possibility of getting moneys from those sources to assist local authority and the Department which are very badly strapped for cash?
I appreciate what the Deputy said in relation to remedial works undertaken along the Wicklow coast and the commitment to Bray and Arklow. There is also a question about a place further down the coast——
An important place.
A very important place.
Yes, a very important place. I do not agree that the input of local government should be minimised either in theory or in spending. I admit that there are difficulties in regard to financing at present. However, if my memory serves me correctly, an attempt was made to get European money for this purpose which failed. The Minister for the Environment is the person to whom an approach should be made in regard to the European Investment Bank.
Will the Minister concede it is unfair that a non-maritime county — a midlands county, for instance Offaly — should have the same support from central Government as a maritime county when, at the same time, a beach like Courtown which maritime county councils are trying to protect is used more by Dubliners and others than by Wexford people? We are preserving national assets which are available to everyone. Therefore, it should be a national charge rather than a charge on the unfortunate county councils who happen to be maritime counties but have no additional resources.
I would remind the Deputy that £593,000 has been provided in 1991 for coastal protection. I regret that my constituency and County Offaly get none of that money.
That is a drop in the ocean.
Would the Minister agree that the money provided in 1991 is, to a large measure, to deal with storm damage which occurred in the early part of the year? Second, has the Minister given any further consideration to amending or replacing the Coast Protection Act, 1963, in view of its unworkability? Third, can he explain why he has not applied for the EC funding which is available for coastal erosion and coast protection works, or has he any plans to make such an application?
We are having repetition.
The Deputy is wrong in saying that this money is for storm damage. Storm damage comes under a different subhead. A substantial sum of money — out of which Arklow fared very well — was provided to deal with storm damage. However, coastal erosion is a totally different matter. I agree with the Deputy that the 1963 Act is difficult to operate but my Department are considering that matter. As far as I know — I have covered this matter already in answer to Deputy Kavanagh — an effort was made to get money from Europe but it was unsuccessful. However, that does not mean my Department will not try to get money from Europe for coastal erosion.
Would the Minister accept that the sum of £593,000 is derisory and inadequate to deal with the problem of coastal protection, particularly, for counties with very large maritime coastlines? Would he also accept the principle of centralisation of responsibility so that a real effort can be made to protect coastlines which are being eroded year by year?
First, I reject the word "derisory". The sum of £593,000 is a substantial amount of money.
It is a drop in the ocean.
It puts me in mind of the American Senator's joke: it is not the $150 billion but the principle that counts. I was very pleased to get this amount of money. When I took over responsibility from the Office of Public Works there were about £100,000 in the fund. Some counties, such as County Cork, have large coastlines and have difficulty making provision for coastal protection.
Would the Minister admit that many problems in this area are self-inflicted due to the removal of sand from beaches by builders and farmers? Is the Minister going to take a very tough line in regard to future licences in this regard, as this is a major factor in coastal erosion?
There is a question down about the removal of sand from beaches. I agree that this is very harmful and deleterious to the coastline. I have already, in two instances, taken very strong action to stop that and I will continue to monitor the position very carefully. I would be glad if Members would let me know where this is happening.
Would the Minister accept that large chunks of the country are falling into the sea after every storm and gale, particularly at this time of the year, and that neither the local authorities nor the Department have the manpower or the finances to maintain all the coastline? I know the Minister is anxious to improve the coastline, therefore, would he consider introducing legislation with a view to bringing forward a policy to maintain our coastline, with assistance either from within the country or from Europe, because our coastline is disappearing at an alarming rate?
I have seen examples of major erosion. There is a question down about Rosslare Strand and the considerable investment in groynes there. I have seen the groynes that are in place and they are very successful in catching sand adrift. Parts of Wicklow and east and south Wexford are considerably exposed.
