Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 7

Written Answers. - County Sligo Coastal Erosion.

Edward Nealon

Ceist:

173 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the Mullaghmore area of County Sligo there is concern about coastal erosion, particularly in the section between Gobaun and Mullaghmore lobster pond where whole sections are collapsing into the sea and being washed away, that there is a threat from this erosion to the Circular Road and that it seems only a matter of time before this road is washed away; if he will make special finances available in view of the major cost factor involved for the local authority, Sligo County Council, in carrying out coastal protection work and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Andrews)

I am aware of concern about coastal erosion in the Mullaghmore area of Sligo. The report of the County and City Engineers Association's National Coastal Erosion Committee entitled ‘Coastal Management — A Case for Action', which was published in 1992, outlines the extent of the erosion problem affecting the Irish coastline, including the County Sligo coastline.

The Department of the Marine is currently drawing up a coastal protection plan to be implemented over the next six years. However, as I am sure the Deputy can imagine, the total cost of undertaking the protection projects identified, far exceeds the £5.5 million that will be available for this purpose under the National Development Plan. In fact, the costs of the protection works identified in County Sligo exceed £6 million. Therefore, the Department will only be able to grant aid local authorities in respect of the most urgent coastal erosion problems having regard to economic, environmental and ecological impacts.

Further consultation will be required with the relevant local authorities before a list of urgent coastal erosion projects for inclusion in the Plan can be identified. In addition, an Operational Programme to enable EU funding be drawn down to subvent the plan's implementation remains to be agreed with the Commission of the European Communities. Pending completion of these exercises it is not possible to identify what works in County Sligo, if any, may be included in the finalised plan.