Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps that have been taken by her Department to develop a national database specifying the nature of the coast. [4406/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Coastal Protection Strategy Studies in pilot areas have been completed and studies are being extended into new areas.

In the South East coast pilot area, information was assembled on the current and historic position of the coastline, the nature of the coast, its vulnerability to erosion and flooding and the nature of the hinterland in terms of economic, heritage and environmental assets. The information has been collated on a geographic information system (GIS). Similar information in respect of the North East and South coast is currently being compiled and should be concluded in the current year.

In line with a recent Government decision, responsibility for Coastal Protection and Coastal Flooding will become the responsibility of the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government. Arrangements are currently in train to effect the transfer.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps that have been taken by her Department to review the Foreshore Acts 1993 and 2003. [4407/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government decided on 2 October 2007 that responsibility for foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933 in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade, and for all energy developments (including oil, gas, wave, wind and tidal energy) and aggregate and mineral extraction developments on the foreshore would transfer to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My Department is currently putting in place the necessary arrangements to ensure the efficient and effective transfer of the appropriate legislation and associated functions. In the interim, all foreshore functions under the Foreshore Acts 1933 to 2005 rest with my Department.

My Department will carry forward responsibility for all other foreshore licensing functions under the Foreshore Act 1933, including in respect of all aquaculture developments and piers and harbours, other than in respect of port companies and harbour authorities governed by the Harbours Acts 1946, 1996 and 2000 and any other harbour or harbour related developments intended for commercial trade.

The Statement of Strategy 2005-2007 of the former Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources indicated that procedures would be developed for enhanced coordination and cooperation between the wide range of public bodies responsible for management of the coastal zone. This was in response to the increasing demands and pressures on coastal areas and their resources.

A consolidation and streamlining of the Foreshore Acts has also been proposed. This is intended to provide a modern, effective and integrated legal framework for the management of the State's foreshore estate in the future. Preparation of these proposals is intended to take account, among other things, of the principles in the EU Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone Management, the outcome of the EU Maritime Green Paper and the EU Marine Strategy Directive.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will clearly assume a critical role in these proposals. My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the context of progressing the various elements required to develop the appropriate coastal zone legislative framework.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps that have been taken to develop a national coastal protection strategy study. [4408/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I refer to my response of Thursday 31st January to PQ 2928/08.

In 2002, the Department of Communications, Marine & Natural Resources (DCMNR) began a review of coastal protection requirements with a view to adopting a more long-term strategic, structured approach to the issues involved.

The National Coastal Protection Strategy Studies in pilot areas have been completed and studies are being extended into new areas.

In the pilot areas, information was assembled on the current and historic position of the coastline, the nature of the coast, its vulnerability to erosion and flooding and the nature of the hinterland in terms of economic, heritage and environmental assets. The information was collated on a geographic information system (GIS).

Following completion of the pilot studies, the surge modelling and identification of areas at risk was extended to the North East and South coast of Ireland. Land use restrictions, if any, resulting from these studies are a matter for the relevant planning authority. From early 2007 the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Office of Public Works (OPW) have been advised on impacts and sensitivity of erosion as well as coastal flood risk in relation to planning and development, including the provision of assistance as required in the development of guidelines and standards.

Over the last four years, 2004-2007, DCMNR have spent in excess of € 10.2 million to deal with the risks of coastal flooding and erosion throughout Ireland.

In line with a recent Government decision, responsibility for Coastal Protection and Coastal Flooding will become the responsibility of the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government. Arrangements are currently in train to effect the transfer.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps that have been taken to develop a new network of sea level stations to carry out tide gauge measurements. [4409/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In August 2003, the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources commissioned the Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre (HMRC) and the Coastal and Marine Resources Centre (CMRC), both of University College Cork and Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory (POL) to carry out a scoping study to assess the status of Ireland's tide gauge infrastructure and outline current and future requirements.

The study catalogued all known tide gauge sites in Ireland and made recommendations for a new network of sea level stations to be established. These stations will consist of tide gauges together with ancillary sensors to provide meteorological data. In addition, sites set up for tracking long term trends in mean sea level will also contain Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers.

One such station was established in 2004 by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources at Castletownbere, Co Cork and continues to be maintained.

Currently, the Marine Institute is at the forefront of efforts to develop a network of sea level stations to carry out tide gauge measurements. The Irish National Tide Gauge Network is an on-going development involving the Marine Institute and a number of organisations in the public and private sectors whose objective is to develop a permanent tidal monitoring infrastructure, ultimately consisting off between 35 and 40 stations. The project is currently entering year 4 of an anticipated 10-year program.

The principal objectives are two fold:

1.To involve local organisations (e.g. county councils) to assist them with local issues related to water level monitoring

2.To bring all operational tide gauges into a centrally managed national infrastructure.

Further information on the Network is available directly from the Marine Institute.

It should be noted that in line with a recent Government decision, responsibility for Coastal Protection and Coastal Flooding will become the responsibility of the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government. Arrangements are currently in train to effect the transfer.