Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2004
57 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans his Department has to significantly increase the number of blue flag designated bathing places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32781/04]
View answerThe blue flag scheme is operated by the Foundation for Environmental Education, a non-governmental organisation based in Denmark, and is administered in Ireland by An Taisce. My Department provides grant aid to An Taisce as a contribution towards the administration expenses of the blue flag scheme in Ireland.
To apply for blue flag status, a beach must be a designated bathing area under the quality of bathing waters regulations. There are a total of 131 such bathing areas, 122 seawater and nine freshwater, designated in Ireland. The quality of the bathing water in these areas must comply with the guideline standards laid down in the EU bathing waters directive and the bathing areas must also comply with criteria specified by FEE regarding the facilities available and general management. These two conditions must be met in the bathing season -1 June to 31 August — of the year prior to the application.
My Department has requested a report from An Taisce as to the options and measures that might be pursued for increasing the number of blue flags awarded to areas in Ireland. The research is being undertaken by surveying the blue flag co-ordinators within the applicable local authorities and will deal with issues such as water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, safety and other services. An Taisce aims to have the research completed by end of 2004.
I understand that water quality is the main factor for designated bathing areas not achieving blue flag status. I see considerable potential to increase the number of blue flag sites as a result of our greatly increased investment in new and upgraded water treatment plants and the measures to be taken under the nitrates action programme.
