Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Deputy's commitment to this issue. I was in the House on a previous occasion when it was debated with the Deputy and the Minister of State, Deputy Canny. Of course there is a need for urgency, but we must ensure that the right coastal and flood protection work is carried out. The correct process must be followed in this regard. Fingal County Council has to identify the appropriate sustainable and viable solution for the problems at Portrane. Once that has been done they can apply for OPW funding. If the funding is approved it is then a matter for the council to progress the necessary works.

The solution that has been proposed in the risk management report, however, may not be the best one, or environmentally sustainable. The council is currently examining that matter but once it has made an application, the OPW will not be remiss in playing its part in this process to ensure that the protection works can take place at the appropriate time.

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