Vol. 414 No. 4
14 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Marine if he will outline the current position regarding coast protection work at Rosslare Strand, County Wexford; the amount of money allocated by his Department for these urgent works for 1992; the amount required from Wexford County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department have undertaken coast protection works at Rosslare Strand this year, involving the construction of six new rock groynes. Jointly funded by the Department of the Marine, for 60 per cent, and Wexford County Council, for 40 per cent, these works will provide extra protection for the valuable tourist infrastructure and amenities at Rosslare Strand. Maintenance of the existing coast protection works is continuing.
The programme for 1992 has not yet been decided.
I wish to point out to the Minister that the total expenditure this year has been inadequate. Is the Minister aware that some years ago it was estimated that a £5 million project would be required to protect Rosslare Strand from being completely breached which would ultimately threaten the town of Wexford? while I know the Minister does not like the word "catastrophe", such an occurrence would be a catastrophe for the economic well being of the country as a whole. Is the Minister aware that last week Wexford County Council passed their estimates by one vote because of the pressure on the estimates and that the council have been forced to spend £125,000 on Rosslare Strand because of the inadequacy of State subvention? What plans has the Minister to ameliorate the desperate plight of the council in that regard?
The message I wish to give the Deputy for his county is, if he is looking for £5 million from my Department he is going to the goat's house to look for wool. In 1991 a contract for £213,268 for the construction of the groynes was agreed and very good work was done. The break-up of that contract was 60 per cent from my Department and 40 per cent from Wexford County Council. That was in accordance with a study commissioned at the hydraulics research station in Wallingford in Britain. I have visited Rosslare Strand and I know of the hazards involved. Wooden pilasters have been erected to try to keep the sea from the golf links. I was very impressed by the groynes that were constructed in that they seemed to be able to catch a good deal of the sand drift and contributed towards the effort to preserve the beach.
While we must be realistic about the amount of money available we will continue to improve Rosslare Strand because it is a very valuable amenity. When I had control of the Transport portfolio, CIE were involved in beach nourishment projects there.
In relation to the latter point, may I ask the Minister whether he considers it fair that Irish Rail are not asked to make a contribution to the 60/40 arrangement when it has been reckoned that the construction of berthage facilities and port development at Rosslare Harbour have been contributory factors to the worsening of the coastal erosion problem at Rosslare Strand? Will the Minister use his good offices to try to gain a contribution towards the requirement from Irish Rail?
The Taoiseach switched me from the Transport portfolio to the Marine, so my writ does not run very strongly with CIE. However, in the past CIE carried out beach nourishment schemes and made a very substantial investment in Wexford. I wish they made some investment in my county.
Would the Minister acknowledge the contribution of the local community of £25,000 to these works as indicating the seriousness of community intent to protect the coast? In the face of the evidence now available would the Minister accept there is a national responsibility to protect national assets that constitute a very significant, financial contribution to our economy overall, like Rosslare Strand? Will he work towards having an adequate budget, not a sum of less than £600,000 for the whole country, but an adequate sum to begin the task of defending our coastlines before we lose whole chunks.
I appreciate what the local community did and met them on one occasion. I have made it quite clear that I do regard the problem as one for both national and local importance and as a serious one.
Does the Minister appreciate that while Deputy Cullimore's house is all right within yards of it, the coastline is being washed away——
I am calling Question No. 15.
The Deputy's concern for Deputy Cullimore is touching.
