In the absence of General Mulcahy, I beg to move the amendment standing in his name:—
Before Section 9 to insert a new section as follows:—
(1) If and whenever the Minister is of opinion, whether, following the receipt of representations from any local authority or otherwise, that the entry of the public or the use by the public of any particular area of foreshore, whether belonging to Saorstát Eireann or not, for purposes of recreation is desirable in the public interest the Minister may by order declare such part of the foreshore available for such recreation purposes and may by order make regulations regulating or controlling in such manner to such extent and for such period, limited or unlimited, as he shall think proper the entry of the public on or the use by the public of such area of foreshore for purposes of public recreation.
(2) Every person who shall do any act (whether of commission or omission) which is a breach of a regulation made under this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding five pounds.
(3) Whenever the Minister has made or proposes to make a regulation under this section, the Minister may if he thinks fit hold a public inquiry in regard to the continuation or the making (as the case may be) of such regulation.
(4) Regulations made under this section shall not extend to or affect the use of any foreshore for the purpose of navigation or of fishing nor the removal of beach material from any foreshore.
(5) Whenever the Minister has made an order under this section, any local authority shall be empowered to acquire such lands as may be reasonably necessary for the purposes of providing public access for persons and vehicles to that area of foreshore and for this purpose Section 36 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, shall apply.
I think that the object of the amendment appears sufficiently clear from its terms. It would appear that the amendment aims at giving power to the Minister to acquire a suitable portion of the foreshore for public recreation and to regulate the use by the public of such portion of the foreshore as the Minister requires and to enable public inquiries to be held as to whether certain portions of the foreshore should be acquired or to dedicate such portion of the foreshore as belongs to the State for the use of the public.