A member of the European Parliament has pledged to tackle the threat of erosion to the Wexford coastline at the highest levels in Brussels.

Sean Kelly, MEP, was in North Wexford last Monday where he witnessed first-hand the coastal erosion and general damage caused by the early January storms which inflicted severe devastation to many parts of the shoreline.

The damage is estimated to cost in the region of €1 million to repair.

Tourism groups and business sources dependant on visitor numbers to areas from Morriscastle to Ballymoney are anxious that all repairs can be carried out before the start of the new tourism season.

This message was delivered to Mr Kelly who met with local public representatives, community leaders and Jim Murphy, Officer-in-Charge, Courtown-Arklow Coast Guard Service.

Senator Michael D’Arcy brought the former GAA President to Courtown to show him the extent of the threat posed by recent erosion to large tracts of environmentally sensitive coastal areas.

Mr Kelly believes that it is an issue that must be tackled at European level.

Full story in THE GOREY ECHO.