Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Apr 1990

Vol. 397 No. 10

Written Answers. - Dublin Bay Pollution Levels.

Jim Higgins

Question:

35 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment if he will indicate the beaches in Dublin Bay where pollution levels are sufficiently low, in order to enable safe summer bathing to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

The beach at Dollymount is the only bathing area in Dublin Bay listed in the European Communities (Quality of Bathing Water) Regulations. It is sampled regularly at three locations and in the 1989 bathing season all three points complied with the stringent national standards set by the regulations for all bacteriological parameters. It is my intention to apply these regulations and the water quality standards which they prescribe to other locations within the bay as soon as possible.

As regards other locations within the bay, only the waters on the southern side of the Bull Wall do not generally comply with the standards for bathing water quality. Dublin Corporation have erected a notice at this point advising that the water is not suitable for bathing.

Other locations in the bay area are monitored by the Eastern Health Board, and although the quality can be poor on occasions, particularly in the south bay when on-shore winds prevail, there are no grounds for particular concern about health risks to bathers. However, I wish to see the level of water quality within the bay generally improved. Measures in this regard being undertaken at present include diversion to the Ringsend treatment plant of existing discharges of raw sewage from the West Pier, Dún Laoghaire and ultimately from Bulloch Harbour. In addition, as part of the recently announced environment action programme, the Government have directed Dublin Corporation to install secondary treatment at the Ringsend Sewage Treatment Works at a cost of up to £40 million, which will effect a further improvement in water quality.

Future decisions in relation to the water quality in the bay will be taken in the context of the Dublin Bay water quality management plan which is being prepared by the environment research unit of my Department. This plan when adopted will provide a management framework for future action in relation to the bay. The target date for completion of the plan is mid-1991.