41 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has received proposals from Clare County Council for coastal protection work at Quilty, County Clare; if so, when it is proposed to commence the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19972/98]

42 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has received proposals from Clare County Council for coastal protection work at Quilty, County Clare; if so, when it is proposed to commence the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19964/98]

50 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has received proposals from Clare County Council for coastal protection work at Quilty, County Clare; if so, when it is proposed to commence the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19963/98]

61 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has received proposals from Clare County Council for coastal protection work at Quilty, County Clare; if so, when it is proposed to commence the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19962/98]

62 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the problems related to coastal erosion at Quilty, County Clare; if he has received proposals from Clare County Council for measures to counter this problem; when this work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21847/98]

73 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has received proposals from Clare County Council for coastal protection work at Quilty, County Clare; if so, when it is proposed to commence the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19970/98]

75 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has received proposals from Clare County Council for coastal protection work at Quilty, County Clare; if so, when it is proposed to commence the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19968/98]

78 Mr. L. Burke asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has received proposals from Clare County Council for coastal protection work at Quilty, County Clare; if so, when it is proposed to commence the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19969/98]

84 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has received proposals from Clare County Council for coastal protection work at Quilty, County Clare; if so, when it is proposed to commence the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19965/98]

87 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has received proposals from Clare County Council for coastal protection work at Quilty, County Clare; if so, when it is proposed to commence the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19967/98]

88 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has received proposals from Clare County Council for coastal protection work at Quilty, County Clare; if so, when it is proposed to commence the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19961/98]

97 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has received proposals from Clare County Council for coastal protection work at Quilty, County Clare; if so, when it is proposed to commence the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19971/98]

100 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether he has received proposals from Clare County Council for coastal protection work at Quilty, County Clare; if so, when it is proposed to commence the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19966/98]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 42, 50, 61, 62, 73, 75, 78, 84, 87, 88, 97 and 100 together.

I fully share the concerns of Deputies about the coastal erosion problems at Quilty, County Clare. I visited Quilty last week to see at first hand the extent of the problem and I had a very useful open meeting with the concerned residents.

I confirm that we have received from Clare County Council a detailed report on the problems at Quilty, which was drawn up for the county council by consulting engineers. The report sets out a number of options for addressing the erosion problems. I have asked my Department's engineering division to assess the report and advise me on solutions as a matter of urgency.

While available funding for coastal protection works in 1998 is already fully committed, I am giving high priority to the funding needs for a costed programme of works at Quilty in the context of the 1999 coastal protection programme. I will be glad to keep Deputies fully appraised of developments.

I thank the Minister for his reply. I am sure he agrees that coastal erosion is a problem along the entire sea coast, especially the western seaboard. What resources are at his disposal this year and next to address it? The problem is especially serious in County Donegal, in areas such as Magheraroarty and Portnoo.

The Minister had the sad duty to visit these areas during his trip to the county this week. I associate myself with the remarks he made and extend my sympathy to the families of the bereaved who have suffered recently, especially the two Donegal families, the Boyles and the Moores, whom he visited.

I agree this is a major problem around the coast. It will not get easier in the future, rather it will become an increasing problem. Funding of £5 million over five years has been made available, or approximately £1 million per year. I understand a further question has been tabled on this matter.

A little more than £1 million is available this year for this work. The Estimates will be published next week when the figure for next year will be available. As an experienced Member of the House, I know the Deputy will look to the Estimates to ascertain the position for next year. I am conscious of what is needed to address this matter. I will be trying to do something further because we want to improve the volume of works.

The problem at Quilty is urgent. The Quilty to Kilkea road is about to be undermined and to start falling into the sea. There is very little space between the road and the sea but some houses are located there and these are in great danger.

Our main responsibility is for public property. There is a public road in danger at Quilty so I have no difficulty in addressing the problem. It will be given priority in the coming year.

Ireland could be described as a shrinking island, yet the Minister's budget to address the problem is only £5 million over five years. Has there been any quantification of the cost of the Quilty project? In 1992 the County and City Managers' Association quantified the cost of dealing with coastal erosion at £120 million. Is the Minister optimistic that the next operational programme, operative from 1999, will provide enhanced funding to deal with this serious problem?

I have indicated the consultant's estimate of the cost of addressing the problem at Quilty. The capital cost of the overall works is estimated at approximately £850,000. The consultant's report dealt with different segments and it should be possible to deal with some of the segments next year and the following year. It is important to begin work on the project now.

When I visited the area last Tuesday I was not aware that these questions would arise on Friday.

The Minster is lucky he visited the area.

It is better to be born lucky than rich.

The right man in the right place at the right time.

It is a pity the Minister did not give recognition to Deputy Donal Carey and Senator Taylor-Quinn.

Senator Taylor-Quinn was in attendance. I do not think Deputy Carey was there. The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Deputy de Valera, and her colleagues, Deputies Daly and Killeen, invited me. On the radio I gave Senator Taylor-Quinn credit for being there.

That was not mentioned in the Minister's press release.

The Deputy forgot Deputy Neville in his press release.

I am not a Minister.

Ireland is shrinking. It has also been scientifically established that it is sinking at a very slow rate, especially in certain areas in the southern half. There is a great deal of solid rock in County Donegal.

The local authorities undertook a study which estimated the cost of addressing the problem at £120 million. The cost of urgent works was estimated at approximately £35 million, which gives an idea of the seriousness of the problem. The works in Bray would have taken up virtually all of the money allocated this year, however, that has been spread over two years so we can do some other works this year.

It is a very big problem. In 1992-3 only £100,000 to £200,000 was provided. At least £1 million has been provided in the last couple of years. It remains to be seen if that can be improved on. The Estimates will indicate the position for next year. Another question has been tabled on the matter, which covers the EU input. Given the importance of the matter, I am working for a stronger programme here.