Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise an issue which has received surprisingly little attention, namely, the good performance of the nation's finances in the first five months of the year. By way of comparison, the deficit in the first five months of last year was €5.3 billion, whereas the deficit in the first five months of this year was €3.5 billion. It is clear, therefore, that the nation's finances are back on track, which is important. That said, it is also important that we do not ignore the difficulties people are experiencing. In that context, I raise the important issue of coastal erosion, particularly where properties are in danger. While funding has been made available for harbours and piers and some coastal erosion projects, there are areas in which private properties are in danger and the works required are beyond the scope of any individual to undertake. This is an issue we should examine. There are thousands of properties from north to south and east to west which need immediate and specific works to be undertaken. I am speaking, in particular, about my own area, County Wexford, which has the softest coastline in the country. We should take the opportunity to bring in both the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to put some measure in place to help those whose properties are in immediate danger. As I said, we cannot take the nation's finances in isolation and ignore the individual. If possible, we should debate the matter during this summer session in order to deal with it before the winter storms start. There are properties that could fall into the sea in the next 12 months.