Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Jul 1993

Vol. 433 No. 7

Written Answers. - EC Bathing Waters Directive.

Liz McManus

Question:

88 Ms. McManus asked the Minister for the Environment if the eight beaches, including Bray, County Wicklow, that were unsuccessfully nominated for the European Blue Flag Awards for 1993 will be designated under the EC Bathing Water Directive in time for next year's awards; and, in particular, if he has been able to get recognition for the beach at Bray - South Promenade and North Promenade - under the EC Bathing Water Directive.

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment (Mr. Browne

, Wexford): The Quality of Bathing Water Regulations, which apply to the EC Bathing Waters Directive provisions in Ireland, were last reviewed in June 1992. None of the eight beaches in question was proposed as a bathing area by the local authorities concerned in the context of that review.

Local authorities generally have been requested by my Department to keep under review practices and developments in relation to bathing and to notify my Department of any new areas which may merit inclusion in future amending regulations. In particular, they have been informed that a review of bathing areas is taking place this year to identify additional areas for inclusion in the regulations which will apply to the 1994 bathing season.

The blue flag awards scheme operates under the independent administration of the Foundation for Environment Education in Europe and its affiliated national organisations, including, in the case of Ireland, An Taisce.