In late 1990 the Minister for the Marine made an order revoking the 1975 agreement between the Department of Communications — then the appropriate Department — and the farmers' local development association and the golf club in Ballybunion which allowed individuals to take sand from the beach in Ballybunion under certain conditions. As these conditions were not being complied with the Minister, after considerable pressure, made a prohibition order last year. However, it was later discovered that a licence existing since 1977 allowed two individual farmers to take sand from the beach. This was not covered by the order made in October. This licence has given rise to the problem and the indecision of the Department of the Marine, which allows the beach to remain open and sand to be taken at present.
The local people are very concerned. Ballybunion beach lost its blue flag last year and failed to regain it this year because of bad beach management. This is a serious blow to the morale of the people of Ballybunion village, which has suffered a decline over the past ten years. The people are fighting back and doing their best. However, the beach is the attraction and provides the main source of livelihood. It must be preserved if they are to have any hope of winning the fight against adversity.
