Public access to the coastline
Mr. Higgins asked whether legislation would protect public access to the coast and prevent private ownership from restricting it. The Minister said access falls under another Minister’s remit and confirmed he was not specifically considering legislation.
In relation to the Minister's reply on protecting the Irish coastline, can he tell the House if his Department officials have prepared any legislation similar to the British legislation to protect the right of citizens to have access to the coast, particularly in the light of 1992 when private ownership of the coast by non-nationals is possible and access to the coast itself may be prohibited, and if he intends to bring the Irish legislation into line with other, for example British, legislation to put the coastline in public ownership?
Comment on this
The actual access to the coast falls under the remit of a different Minister but I understand precisely what the Deputy is speaking about because not today or yesterday but some decades ago problems have arisen through the purchase of sites near the coast by foreigners. I know that problems may arise in the future in that regard.