Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on flooding and by extension the impact the recent storms have had on my constituency. I acknowledge the wonderful work done by the emergency services throughout the country.

It is estimated that this island has in excess of 3,100 km of shoreline, which when judged by the size of our land mass, is very long. County Sligo has a very exposed coastline stretching from Enniscrone in the south east to Mullaghmore in the north. I estimate the distance to amount to an exposure of 150 km to the wild Atlantic. It is estimated that the recent storm was the worst to hit Sligo since 1986. As in many other counties, the storm has resulted in damage to roads, beaches, bridges, pathways and piers.

The recent storm known as Storm Brigid hit west Sligo very severely. It was described recently as the worst damage to hit the Aughris Peninsula in living memory. The combination of low pressure, high tides, south-westerly winds and the storm surge has caused the maximum damage. The damage not only impacted on the people who in many cases lost access to their homes, but also their livelihood, as many of the coastal agricultural lands have been destroyed by stones and salt water.

Sligo is a county very dependent on tourism. I am pleased to report to the House that 2013 was an excellent year for the sector, especially tourism facilities located at coastal resorts such as Strandhill, Rosses Point and Mullaghmore. In 2011, major damage was done to the sand dunes at Strandhill below the promenade and in front of the famous golf club. Funding of €300,000 was provided by the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, through the OPW to Sligo County Council with works completed recently. The Minister of State recently visited the location of the works and it is clear it has protected the coastline from further damage despite recent storms.

On his visit to Sligo the Minister of State also viewed the damage done to the famous Rosses Point beach which in turn impacted on County Sligo Golf Club. Since the visit of the Minister of State, even further damage has taken place. The beach, which is popular during the summer months, is now not accessible and there is deep concern that it will impact on the 2014 tourist season in this part of County Sligo.

The Minister and his officials are currently considering a cost submission from Sligo County Council on proposals to develop coastal defences at Rosses Point and ensure the beach is accessible for users next summer. I hope some assistance can be provided. The devastation wreaked by flooding is the stuff of nightmare for citizens that wake up and find themselves immersed in water, sometimes storm water coming from sewer drains. I know that will be a priority for the Government.

We must address the impact of coastal erosion. Will the Minister of State, when considering aid, ensure adequate money is allocated to the victims of coastal erosion, particularly in Rathlee, Enniscrone, Rosses Point, Mullaghmore and Strandhill and other villages dependent on tourism? I am conscious there is huge pressure on Exchequer finances and the budget is limited, but we cannot allow the progress made by the Government and the tourism industry over the past three years in boosting visitor numbers and increasing revenue to be halted because we did not respond to the damage done to our coastal infrastructure and tourist amenities.

I thank sincerely the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, for his support for County Sligo to date. I urge him and his fellow Ministers of State and Ministers to examine every angle possible in a bid to support our communities battered by the wild Atlantic over the past two months. I hope with the allocation of money very shortly through the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government additional works can be carried out by local authorities as a matter of urgency. I welcome the money allocated last week by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, for a number of areas in Mullaghmore and Enniscrone. It is vital the money is administered very quickly so the works can be carried out.

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