Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
264. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the steps which are being taken to safeguard the Great Southern Wall in Dublin Port particularly in light of recent weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11225/26]
View answer265. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the last time a full structural examination of the Great Southern Wall in Dublin Port was carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11226/26]
View answer266. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport the plans to upgrade the Great Southern Wall in Dublin Port; his plans to carry out the repairs that are needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11227/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 264, 265 and 266 together.
Safeguarding and structural repairs of assets of State-owned commercial port companies such as the Great South Wall in Dublin Port are, in the first instance, direct operational matters for the State-owned commercial port companies, in this case Dublin Port Company (DPC).
My Department maintains strong communication channels with the State-owned commercial ports at all times, and I am kept well informed on all such significant matters.
The Great South Wall is regularly monitored by DPC, as it is a national monument and is of critical importance to the safe navigation of vessels to and from the port.
DPC has advised that the significant increase in the severity of storms, along with the resultant increase in wave height and strength impacting our coastlines and breakwaters in recent years, has led to deterioration in certain sections of the rock armour revetment protecting the Great South Wall. This is particularly evident at the Poolbeg Lighthouse section, where losses of rock armour stone have occurred due to displacement and stripping away during storm events.
In December 2025, Storm Bram caused significant further damage to this section of the wall, leaving large voids in the rock armour revetment. DPC advised my Department that, upon inspection, it took immediate action to undertake emergency repair works. These works require the mobilisation of specialist floating marine plant and the sourcing of replacement larger rock armour stones—each sized between six and nine tonnes.
This specialist marine plant is currently mobilised onsite and in the process of transporting 5,000 tonnes of rock armour, sourced from a quarry in Arklow, by barge to Dublin Port to commence the repair works. The works are expected to take four to five weeks, subject to weather conditions.
In addition to the emergency repairs outlined above, and to future-proof the Great South Wall against further sea-level impacts and increasing storm severity, DPC has advised my Department that it has initiated plans to undertake significant upgrade works to the rock armour revetment along the full length of the Great South Wall.
This upgrade project will be delivered over several phases, commencing with the highest-risk zones identified through recent monitoring and engineering assessments. The upgrade works will involve the placement of an additional layer of significantly larger rock armour stones—each between 15 and 20 tonnes—sourced specifically from Norway.
The proposed upgrade works will require several consents, including planning permission from Dublin City Council and a Maritime Area Consent from the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), along with engagement with National Monuments and the National Parks and Wildlife Service within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Upgrade works are projected to commence in 2028.
DPC has advised that the last full structural examination of the Great South Wall was carried out in November and December 2025, and that such examinations are conducted on an annual basis.
