asked the Minister for Finance the moneys available for the prevention of coastal erosion during 1980 and if any surveys have been carried out on the west coast to determine the extent of the problem.

The allocation for coast protection in 1980 in subhead I, Vote for Public Works and Buildings, is £162,000. A large number of proposals have been received under the Coast Protection Act, 1963 for schemes on the west coast. A number of these have been surveyed and schemes have been completed at Rossnowlagh and Moville, County Donegal and Strandhill, County Sligo. A scheme is at present in progress at Enniscrone, County Sligo.

Is the Minister of State satisfied that sufficient money is given under that subhead for the proposals in his Department? Secondly, could he clarify how the OPW grade these proposals in order of priority so that they can qualify for assistance under the fund?

We could have a lot of questions if we are going to go into the means by which they are selected. The Chair dreads that type of question being answered.

Surely the Minister of State is not serious when he talks about £162,000 for coastal erosion.

The Deputy may ask a question but he may not get up to comment on the Minister's statement.

Did the Minister of State make a mistake when he quoted the figure of £162,000? Does he realise that this will do for about only half the scheme?

We think that £162,000 is quite adequate for this year. In answer to the previous question, proposals for coast protection under the 1963 Act are initiated by local authorities. For the west coast, Donegal to Kerry, 40 such proposals were received and 13 of those have been surveyed under the Act, three schemes completed and one is in progress. The others will be processed in due course having regard to other commitments and the availability of engineering and other staff.

If it happens that one or two very urgent cases come to light in the meantime prior to their being processed in due course, would these be considered eligible for immediate funds from the Minister of State's Department?

That is a hypothetical question.

There is a priority list in my Department which has been there for years and I do not intend to break that priority list.

Is the Minister of State serious in saying that 50p per mile is sufficient or adequate to meet coastal erosion on the west coast? In the light of experience in this area, what kind of work would the amount of £162,000 do?

That is not a relevant question.

Half the country is going into the sea.

This is argument.

I am asking if the Minister of State thinks that 50p a mile is adequate.