Brendan Howlin
Ceist:22 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Marine if an application for EC Structural Funding for coast protection has been submitted for inclusion in Ireland's national submission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Coastal Erosion.
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:28 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Marine if he has received the Coast Management Report entitled A Case for Action prepared by the National Coastal Erosion Committee; if he will indicate the action he proposes to take in the light of this report to protect and defend out coastline; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Eric J. Byrne
Ceist:53 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for the Marine if he has considered the report of the National Coast Erosion Committee; the action, if any, he intends to take on its recommendations; whether he intends to apply for EC funding for coastal protection works on the Irish coastline; and, if so, if he will give details of the proposed application.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:106 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the extent of the coastal erosion problem at the Burrow, Portrane, County Dublin; and if in view of the concern expressed by the local community and the fact that some family properties are in danger of extinction, he will provide the funds to enable a coastal protection scheme to be implemented as a matter of urgency.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:107 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for the Marine if he will make a statement on the extent of coastal erosion in County Dublin; the way in which he proposes to deal with this matter in view of the serious nature of this and the grave concern this is causing to many communities; and if he will provide the necessary finance to Dublin County Council to enable them to commence a coastal protection programme.
Peter Barry
Ceist:109 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for the Marine if he has studied the report of the National Coastal Erosion Committee, published by Eolas and particularly the section dealing with data requirements for coastal erosion management which states that the situation regarding water level measurement around our Irish coast is not satisfactory; and if he will make a statement in the matter, in particular the aspect of the report which suggests that the long term guage records in County Cork have not been analysed.
I propose answering Questions Nos. 22, 28, 53, 106, 107 and 109 together.
I have received a copy of the National Coastal Erosion Committee's report, Coastal Management — A Case for Action. This is a valuable report in that it indicates the extent of the coastal erosion problem affecting the Irish coastline. The report is particularly welcome in that it should help to raise the awareness generally about coastal and marine problems. It is estimated in the report that some 1,500 kms of Ireland's coastline of 5,800 kms is under threat from coastal erosion and that 490 kms require immediate attention at an approximate cost of £125 million. The report also contains recommendations regarding the institutional and legal framework which might be adopted to implement a comprehensive coast protection programme.
At the moment primary responsibility for coast protection rests with local coastal authorities, some of which have undertaken protection work themselves. Owners of private property have, of course, the major role in protecting their own property. My Department's role is to facilitate the implementation of permanent protection schemes, where warranted, to prevent progressive erosion by the sea. To this end and in order to formulate a programme of coast protection works for the next few years, my Department wrote to all maritime local authorities last year requesting them to submit a list of priorities for coast protection projects which they consider would be warranted and feasible and for which they are prepared to make funds available. It is expected that the outstanding proposals from county councils including Dublin and Cork will be submitted in the near future. When all the proposals are received I will examine the options available to me within available resources and put in place a comprehensive national coast protection programme. When examining these proposals and when putting together the long term strategy I will of course have regard to the views expressed by the National Coastal Erosion Committee.
As Deputies will appreciate, the reshaping of parts of the coast is an ongoing natural phenomenon. Material is eroded from some locations and deposited in others, particularly during storms. The removal of beach material is also a contributory factor to coastal erosion. In this regard the Oireachtas has recently passed the Foreshore (Amendment) Act, 1992, which I introduced to protect and safeguard our valuable beaches and sand dunes.
There is at present no EC structural funding for coast protection. However, my Department has been successful in securing funding for coast protection measures under NORSPA and LIFE council regulations. The funding has been obtained by way of a joint project involving my Department, EOLAS and the local authorities for Wexford, Waterford, Kerry and Clare. The project title is Environmentally Friendly Coast Protection (ECOPRO). A total of 900,000 ECU in grant aid is provided for over a two and a half year period. The objectives of the project are, (i) to assess the vulnerability of the coast to changes (including erosion), (ii) to consider needs for protection (both now and in the near future), (iii) to examine the performance and environmental impact of existing coastal protection works including a demonstration project.
The project also includes provision for grant aiding the construction of coastal protection works. The site or sites of these works have yet to be determined. Their design and construction methods will be assessed under the project.
As I have already stated there is no Structural Fund provision for coast protection in the present round of structural funds. However, I will be pursuing the possibility of including coast protection for funding in the post 1993 period.
With regard to the long term gauge records in County Cork I understand that this refers to the gauge at Glanmire Road in Cork Harbour which has been in operation since 1922. The gauge is owned and operated by Cork Harbour Commissioners. The commissioners have informed me that the harbour staff carry out such analysis of the record as is required for their purposes.