Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to speak on this most important matter in the House today. I have been pushing strongly to get this matter discussed and I welcome the opportunity given to me today.

The issue of coastal erosion in the Burrow, Portrane, in north Country Dublin, is not something new. The sea has threatened and eroded the area for decades, but it is the increased pace and severity of this erosion in recent times which makes this a critical and most topical of issues at this time. Two weeks ago 6 m to 7 m of sand dunes were washed away in one night. As a result of this, according to Fingal County Council, there are now only 17 m between some houses and the eroding sand dune edge.

The Burrow is an area of the Portrane peninsula composed of houses and businesses flanked by dunes and estuary foreshore. It is bounded by the Rogerstown Estuary to the north and west, to the east by the Burrow beach and to the south by the urban area of Portrane village. Many people have homes in the Burrow, with most in immediate proximity to the Burrow dunes and beach. It is these homes and some businesses which are in need of urgent help before they are swept away. It is getting that critical. I grew up close to the area affected and, having lived there for many years, have seen the erosion over time.

This is not a new issue, nor could it be as coastal erosion is a natural occurrence. However, this should not be an excuse for not addressing what are very real concerns for the many people who live in the Burrow and who are witnessing the tides coming closer and closer to their homes. The immediate situation needs to be addressed urgently and long-term preventative measures need to be found and implemented. I ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, along with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, if funding can be urgently allocated and works carried out by the Office of Public Works and-or other relevant bodies to protect the citizens of the Burrow in Portrane.

The residents of this area have expressed their concerns for years but they feel they are being ignored. They also feel it will take a number of houses to be swept away before their concerns are taken seriously. Their concerns have obviously been heightened with the extreme erosion that took place in October coupled with the fact that high tides are forecast for November and December. I ask that immediate attention be given to the area of the coastline damaged two weeks ago and that all necessary repair works take place without delay.

I ask that this issue be addressed as a matter of great urgency and that long-term, realistic and sustainable measures be identified and implemented without delay.

I am aware that there may be concerns regarding the possible impact of work undertaken in one coastal location on adjacent locations. However, this cannot be used as a reason to conclude that nothing that can be done. The residents, businesses and public buildings in Portrane must not be left at risk of continued extreme erosion. All stakeholders, Government and local authorities, must approach this in an inclusive and holistic manner to ensure best outcomes for the residents of The Burrow in Portrane and recognise that the short and long term protection of their homes and businesses is at stake.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I thank Deputy Ryan for raising this serious issue. I can assure him that the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and I wish to assist in whatever we can. I would first like to clarify the role of the Office of Public Works, Fingal County Council and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. I note the Deputy's reference to other Departments and the need for a co-ordinated on a response to this matter.

Overall responsibility for coastal protection rests with the Office of Public Works. However, management of the situation in Portrane, County Dublin, referred to by the Deputy, is first and foremost a matter for Fingal County Council, which is the local authority for the area. In September 2004, the OPW assumed the role as lead agency for flood risk management in the State. This involves co-ordinating the national flood risk management direction and the actions and activities of Departments, local authorities and other key stakeholders. The OPW also has powers to implement works to reduce the risk of flooding in coastal areas. Local authorities also have such powers directly under the Local Government Acts. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government does not, therefore, have any direct role in this matter and is only responsible for the granting of any foreshore lease or licence that may be required to facilitate work at the site. The carrying out of an assessment of the situation in Portrane is a matter for the local authority, which in this instance is Fingal County Council.

I have been advised by the OPW that in 2009 it received an application, under its minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme, for funding of €60,000 for a coastal monitoring programme at Portrane and Rush beaches and that the application was not approved as it did not meet the scheme's criteria. However, it is still open to Fingal County Council to submit a fresh application under the scheme for measures to address erosion problems at Portrane. Any application received will be considered by the OPW in accordance with the scheme eligibility criteria, which includes a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial and have regard to the overall availability of resources for flood risk management. Application forms and related guidelines are available on the OPW website.

As I have already said, my role in cases such as this relates to consideration of foreshore consent applications should any works be proposed for the foreshore. On this specific matter, an application was made by Fingal County Council for consent under the Foreshore Act 1933 to construct a flood defence system at Burrow Beach, Portrane, to protect houses located on Claremount Road. These works consisted of two elements, namely, removal of sand from a beach situated in Baldoyle Bay special area of conservation, SAC, and the use of that sand to build sandbag flood defences. Following a review of the application by my specialist advisors, significant additional information was requested from Fingal County Council, including adequate mapping to clarify whether the proposed flood defences were located on State-owned foreshore and an environmental appraisal report on the potential effects of the proposed removal of sand from the special area of conservation. In order to strengthen this report, the council was advised to enter into direct consultations with the National Parks and Wildlife Service. The council is also investigating the option of sourcing sand from an inland site negating the need for disturbance of the special area of conservation. The matter currently rests with the council to clarify whether the proposed works are located on State foreshore and whether sand will be removed from the special area of conservation.

We are not sure if a foreshore licence will be required. It is for this reason the mapping has been sought from Fingal County Council. If the sand can be removed from a location other than the special area of conservation, it would be easier for the work to be carried out. I acknowledge that this is a serious issue and thank the Deputy for raising it today.

Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for her reply. Unfortunately, however, she has no responsibility in relation to this matter. Also, the latter part of the Minister of State's reply relates to Baldoyle rather than Portrane or Rush. I would ask that it be revised.

The Minister of State also indicated in her reply that primary responsibility for this matter rests with Fingal County Council, which I understand. This matter comes within the remit of a number of Departments. I am interested in hearing the response of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the context of its responsibility in this area.

I appreciate that coastal erosion can be a complex issue and that when dealing with a naturally occurring phenomenon we can be presented with many challenges. I also appreciate the difficulties that all Departments, including the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, face when allocating funds. However, I strongly suggest that not addressing this issue immediately will result in further costs in the future. This is an issue that is not going to go away. As I stated, erosion is a natural occurrence and will continue if not addressed. As was demonstrated in October, it can become more aggressive without any notice.

The works previously undertaken to safeguard the sand dunes on this coastline were done in good faith and with the best intentions but they were not long term solutions. A comprehensive and possibly cross-departmental approach is required to provide the best possible protection for this area of coastline. We need to ensure that all possible solutions are given consideration and that a long term solution is put in place.

The people of Portrane are not just concerned, they are worried and extremely anxious. They are witnessing the ongoing erosion of their coastline and can visibly see the dangers that they face. They cannot solve this problem themselves and need the help of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and Fingal County Council to do so. We cannot wait until homes disappear into the sea before addressing this issue.

Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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The Deputy is over time and must conclude.

Brendan Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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We cannot allow this situation to develop to a point of a catastrophic emergency. This is a very serious matter which needs urgent attention.

While I acknowledge that the Minister of State is not in a position to give the following commitment, I ask that the Minister, as part of the process of finding a solution, agree to his officials, in conjunction with officials from Fingal County Council, meeting representatives of the residents and businesses of the Burrow to discuss their very serious concerns.

Perhaps as the Minister of State is standing in for the Minister she might take a chance and give that commitment on his behalf.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Deputy stated earlier that he is primarily addressing this issue to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I will convey his concerns to the Minister, Deputy Coveney.

By way of clarification, I am responsible for foreshore licence applications. There is a specific application for a foreshore licence to construct a flood defence system at Burrow Beach in Portrane. On the sand issue, while the sand would come from Baldoyle Bay it would be used at Burrow Beach Portrane, which is somewhat relevant. The mapping information requested is specifically to clarify whether a foreshore licence is required to undertake that specific work. While the Deputy may be speaking of a bigger area, the latter part of my reply is relevant in that regard.

I appreciate that this is a cross-departmental matter. I take on board the Deputy's request for a cross-departmental response on this matter. I realise it is a serious issue and that it has been raised on a number of occasions by Deputy Ryan. It is important this issue is addressed for residents. It is also important Fingal County Council responds to the queries raised by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in regard to mapping of the area. It is hoped that response will be received as soon as possible. We all want to ensure a response to this issue which is very worrying for residents in the area.