Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The infrastructural damage and devastation to our coastal defences, both natural and man-made, as a consequence of the recent severe weather are impossible to quantify. The true figure for remedial protective work is probably well over €1 billion, compared with a figure of some €65 million submitted by local authorities for emergency works. We must also take into account damage to private property along the coast. It is estimated that this damage runs to €300 million, with many of the property owners in question uninsured for some years now due to the flood-prone locations of their homes. Those who did have insurance will probably find it impossible to secure a renewal in respect of flood damage into the future.

Our coastline is one of our most valuable economic resources and the people who live in these areas are largely dependent on tourism and small farming businesses. As such, the losses will severely impact on these communities for many generations to come. I urge the Government to prepare a comprehensive assessment of both the short-term emergency remedial work that is required and the cost of addressing the social and economic detrimental impact, which, as I said, will far exceed the €1 billion mark. Such an assessment will strengthen our case for classification as a major natural disaster area and qualification for EU solidarity funding and other relief supports.

County Kerry has the longest coastline in the country, stretching at its southern end to the Beara Peninsula and north into Ballybunion, Tarbert and the Ballylongford region. It was battered and bruised in recent weeks and has experienced unprecedented damage. Typical of this is the damage done to the prime tourism beach and facilities at Rossbeigh, which is in the centre of the county. In the aftermath of the adverse weather, it looks like a site that was bombed. A 1 km stretch of road by the beach was obliterated, with rocks strewn all over what was once a roadway. The playground was destroyed. Some 20 acres of sand dunes, amounting to more than 1 million tonnes in weight, have been wiped from the blue flag beach. The adjoining low-lying areas at Keelnabrack, Dooks, Cromane and lower Killorglin are impacted, with the main harbour in Ardcanaght severely breached. Health and safety issues are now the prime concern for residents, who are at serious risk from Atlantic surges as the natural sand barriers continue to deplete.

The development of the Wild Atlantic Way offers huge tourism potential for County Kerry and other counties, but a recurrence of this type of environmental damage will devalue and aesthetically harm this great resource. Unfortunately, in the context of global warming and the eventual rise of the seas due to polar melting, we will have to live with these conditions into the future. I urge the Government to sanction local authorities to proceed immediately with emergency work. In the long term, however, a more comprehensive strategy is required. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, has indicated that a report from the Office of Public Works is imminent. I understand the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, attended a Coastwatch Europe conference yesterday. We will have to take that type of expertise on board, in addition to that of Government advisers. Massive funding will be required, from the State and the EU, to protect our coastline for the future.

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