Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Coastal Erosion.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

109 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the work being done and job description of the official or officials in his Department appointed to deal with coastal zone management; the way in which he will address the criticism of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report that this management issue is fragmented in view of the fact that Ireland is losing up to 700 acres of coast each year due to coastal erosion; and when legislation in this area will be enacted. [17105/02]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

858 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the work being carried out and job description of the official or officials in his Department appointed to deal with coastal zone management; the way in which he will address the criticism of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report that this management issue is fragmented in view of the fact that Ireland is losing up to 700 acres of coast each year due to coastal erosion; and when legislation in this area will be enacted. [17490/02]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern):

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 109 and 858 together.

My Department has general responsibility, in conjunction with other relevant Departments, for developing an integrated coastal zone management strategy. This responsibility currently falls within the remit of the Department's coastal zone management division, which is also charged with regulation and management of the marine coastal zone, including aquaculture, foreshore licensing and control of dumping at sea. The findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report reflect a widespread recognition of the need for a more co-ordinated and integrated approach to coastal zone management.

Accordingly, a key objective in developing integrated coastal zone management for Ireland will be to put in place new models of interaction between sectors and agencies and legal frameworks that will deliver a more strategic approach to coastal areas and their resources. Development of the integrated coastal zone management strategy will be taken forward in co-operation with the other public bodies concerned. This work will draw on international research and experience to date and will take account of the EU recommendation on integrated coastal zone management that was published earlier this year.

The legislative action required to support the effective operation of integrated coastal zone management, including any necessary updating or modification of existing statutory codes, will be addressed as a central element of the development of the national strategy. In tandem with the development of integrated coastal zone management, my Department is working, with the support of a focused research programme, to develop a multi-annual strategic approach to coastal protection.