Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I forgot to raise one issue in my contribution, namely, the Wicklow-to-Greystones coastal greenway. It was welcome to receive the €350,000 towards carrying out the environmental assessments that are required for that. It is a fantastic scenic location and the project will be a fantastic link if it can proceed on that entire east coast trail greenway we are looking to create all the way from Sutton through to Dublin city and down through Dún Laoghaire, north Bray, Greystones and Wicklow town. It has great potential, although the area is a highly ecologically sensitive environment, so the construction will have to be carried out to the highest standards of environmental protection. I hope there will be engagement with environmental NGOs that are based there, such as BirdWatch Ireland, which has a bird sanctuary nearby.

Some local residents have a lifetime of experience of dealing with the sensitivity of that site. I hope that will be taken into consideration during all assessments so that project can proceed in a manner that does not impact the environment there. I just wanted to make that point which I know TII will take on board.