Funding yet to be sanctioned for new coastal protection measures in Galway

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A longer-term plan for coastal protection along Galway Bay will be assessed later this year. Senior Engineer Evan Molloy told this month's Connemara Municipal District meeting that the funding that has been sanctioned to date has been ringfenced for repairs to existing protection damaged during severe weather. He added that no funding has yet been sanctioned to develop new protection measures. Fianna Fail Cllr Sean O' Tuairisg raised the matter at the meeting in Carraroe and asked if there is any longer-term plan for coastal protection in Galway. He told officials that Galway can expect further storms of a similar scale which communities should be prepared for. Senior Engineer Evan Molloy advised that consultants have been brought in to examine costal protection in areas such as Inis Bofin and Inis Meain. He said an assessment of the coastline should highlight the areas in need of new coastal protection. Mr. Molloy said that the current repair works are part of a medium-term plan and a longer term plan will be assessed pending the ongoing study.