Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, has called on the Tánaiste Simon Harris to apologise to the people of Wicklow after failing to deliver on his promise to reopen the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk by St. Patrick’s Day.
The popular coastal route has remained closed since 2021 following serious safety concerns along sections of the walk.
Teachta Brady said:
“It is completely unacceptable that the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk remains closed despite a very public commitment from Simon Harris that it would reopen by St. Patrick’s Day 2026.
“Just before Christmas, the Tánaiste announced what he described as both short-term and medium-term solutions and gave a firm commitment that the walk would reopen by March this year.
“That deadline has now passed. The walk remains closed and the people of Wicklow have been given no explanation as to why the commitment he made has not been delivered.
“What makes this even more concerning is that Simon Harris was fully aware of the serious constraints that existed when he made that promise.
“He knew that Bray Head is protected under the Bray Head Special Amenity Area Order, which has been in place since 2007 and places strict protections on the area due to its environmental, landscape and recreational importance.
“He also knew about the serious safety risks that already existed along sections of the Cliff Walk, including areas vulnerable to erosion and subsidence.
“Despite being fully aware of these constraints and risks, he still chose to make a very public commitment that the walk would reopen by St. Patrick’s Day.
“That decision raised expectations across the community that he clearly could not deliver on and has left many people feeling misled.
“In recent weeks we have also seen reports that further sections of the Cliff Walk are now at serious risk of subsiding, highlighting just how complex and serious the situation is.
“The people of Wicklow deserved honesty about the scale of the challenge, not reckless commitments that created false hope.
“Simon Harris now needs to apologise to the people of Wicklow, explain what has gone wrong, and set out a credible plan that will finally deliver a safe and sustainable reopening of the Cliff Walk.”
“What is needed now is action. The Tánaiste, Simon Harris, must ensure that everything possible is done to reopen the Cliff Walk as swiftly as possible. Any financial blockages standing in the way of progressing the necessary works must be removed immediately.”
“The Government must now give a clear commitment that the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk will be reopened as quickly as possible, and that whatever funding is required to make that happen will be provided without delay.”
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