Primary responsibility for coast protection works rest with the property owner, be that a private individual or a local authority. My Department wrote to all coastal local authorities in 2002 requesting proposals, in order of priority, for consideration in the context of the 2003-2006 coast protection programmes. Fingal County Council submitted a proposal for works at Velvet Strand, Portmarnock, ranked at number one and estimated to cost a total of €125,000. In 2002, my Department contributed €37,487.86 towards the total cost of €49,983.81 of materials purchased by Fingal County Council for protection works at Velvet Strand, Portmarnock, which, I understand, will commence shortly. The results of these works will have to be assessed to establish what, if any, further works are required in the area in question.