The Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., has announced the approval of Meath County Council’s application under the Office of Public Works’ Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.
Under the scheme, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has approved funding of €90,000 for a study of the coastal erosion on Meath’s coastline from the Boyne estuary to the mouth of the Delvin River.
Local Fine Gael TD, Fergus O’Dowd welcomed news and said “My colleague Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for the OPW confirmed the monies were being made available through the Minor Flood Mitigation Works & Coastal Protection Scheme.
“This is positive news for residents and property owners along the coastline as the study will be assessing individual properties directly adjacent to public roads, our coastal dune systems and our beaches.
“The study will cover the area from the mouth of the Boyne to the Delvin River. This coastline, as we all know, is a massive draw for the area and it must be protected for our future generations.
“Whilst some very welcome coastal defences have been put in place over recent times it is quite clear that there is a need for a much more comprehensive plan which will safeguard the existing coastlines, properties and promenades well into the future.”
Labour Councillor for the area, Elaine McGinty, called the announcelment an important first step, but added that a focused and properly resourced response to protect our coastlines and rivers is urgently needed.
“Most of the Irish Sea Coast is experiencing long – term decline as beaches and dunes are retreating. Coastal defences and other infrastructure need to be invested in to cope with rising sea levels, increasing storms and changes in wind direction” she said.
“I recently attended a meeting on the management and water quality of the Nanny and Delvin rivers and catchments with Meath County Council. While acknowledging that progress is being made, we cannot ignore that water levels are falling in the Boyne due to longer drought periods.
“I strongly believe that we need one authority such as Waterways Ireland to manage the river in its entirety to ensure that all water quality and environmental issues are being addressed.”
