Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Adjournment Debate. - Water Safety.

Mr. Perry

On my own behalf and that of my constituents of Sligo-Leitrim, I extend my deepest sympathy to the bereaved families of Tommy Coyle, Michael Higgins and Bobby Taylor. It is a terrible cross to bear to lose a child in such tragic circumstances. The entire community is in a state of shock and grief and our hearts go out to the families involved. I am pleased to say that Laurence Cook will make a full recovery. We must consider what lessons can be learned from this terrible tragedy to ensure there is no repeat.

There is no information available on dangerous beaches. A detailed register should be available and circulated widely in all tourism areas, particularly through schools highlighting the dangers of the coastline. The National Safety Council only responds when a local authority requests a safety survey of a beach, the report on which is classified as confidential. This is wrong. Reports should be published and surveys conducted frequently and independently.

What is required at Strandhill beach where it is not safe to swim but which has been used by the people of south Sligo for the past 70 years is a beach patrol. The necessary resources should be made available to fund the provision of coastline patrol and lifeboat services. This is essential.

A national policy on the management of dangerous beaches has to be established with consistent guidelines. It is my information that the guidelines vary throughout the country. Each local authority has its own policy. When it comes to safety and the protection of life there should be a consistent policy throughout the country. On average, 195 people lose their lives each year in drowning tragedies.

We must highlight the dangers of the coastline, regardless of cost. I call for an independent survey of Strandhill beach. When a beach is declared unsafe by the National Safety Council relevant safety procedures should be implemented immediately. When lifeguards were removed at Strandhill they should have been replaced by a beach patrol. It is neither moral nor appropriate to declare a beach unsafe and then remove all safety services.

The local authorities need help. The necessary resources should be made available to Sligo County Council to fund the immediate appointment of beachguards. Is it appropriate that lifeguards are only appointed in certain areas in July? This is wrong.

For County Sligo 17 May was a black day. The greatest tribute we can pay to the memory of Tommy Coyle, Michael Higgins and Bobby Taylor is to ensure no more lives are lost. They were three outstanding teenagers who were due to sit the leaving certificate in a few weeks time. The community, but more particularly their families, will never forget this tragedy.

Mr. M. Brennan

I agree with everything Deputy Perry said and join in the vote of sympathy to the Coyle, Higgins and Taylor families.

Mr. Molloy

I appreciate the Deputies' interest in this very important matter and I thank them for this opportunity to set out the position. I convey my condolences to the families, relatives and friends of the three young men who lost their lives in the tragic accident at Strandhill. Their loss will be felt for a long time by their communities in which they played such an active part.

In the context of examining any measures that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of future similar accidents, a comprehensive report was sought from Sligo County Council. Preliminary information has been received and a full report is to be submitted within the next week or so, as information becomes available to the local authority. The National Safety Council will be asked to examine this report and, in its advisory capacity, to provide its observations. The Department has also arranged an urgent meeting with the National Safety Council for later this week to discuss more general issues which have been highlighted by the tragedy, such as lifeguarding and the availability to the public of information on unsafe beaches, including the location of adequate warning signs.

The promotion of water safety is a matter for the local authorities and the National Safety Council. The role of the local authorities includes making by-laws for the regulation of bathing places, the employment of life guards, the provision of equipment and appliances for life saving and arranging for instruction in swimming and life saving. The National Safety Council actively promotes the dissemination of information on water safety, liaises with the Department of Education and Science on water safety matters for school children, issues guidelines for local authorities on water safety matters and, through local committees, organises and supports swimming, life saving and resuscitation courses. Some idea of the scale of their activity in this area can be got from the fact that more than 80,000 certificates were awarded to people who attended such courses in 1996. Water safety classes and courses are organised by the water safety committees around the country in response to local interest and demand. The numbers participating grow each year which is a clear indication of increasing interest and involvement.

Marine and water based leisure activities are on the increase which can mean there is a greater risk of drowning tragedies. It may not be possible to prevent all accidents, but we must do everything we can to reduce the number to the absolute minimum. The inter-relationships between people and water is a complex and varied one. It can be recreational or occupational. It can take place on rivers, lakes, on the beach or further out at sea. There are many people and organisations, some full-time and others voluntary, who are dedicated to saving lives and promoting greater awareness of the dangers of water. The review process, which is being initiated, will aim to make the optimum arrangements for using all the resources that are available to reduce the likelihood of a recurrence of what happened at Strandhill. The major review of water safety matters is being carried out with a view to strengthening and reorganising existing structures and I expect to make decisions regarding these matters in the near future.

The Dáil adjourned at 9.05 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 27 May 1998.