Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
869. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if a commitment will be given to improve the methods of informing persons of do not swim notices along Dublin Bay following wastewater leaks; if the use of local media will be arranged to provide information of such a health warning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12906/20]
View answerThe means for communicating bathing water information to the public are well established and include beach signage, print media and social media. In relation to the Dublin Bay Area, my Department is working with Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Environmental Protection Agency and the Health Service Executive to improve co-ordination of all matters related to bathing waters in Dublin Bay. This includes improving communications between these organisations and the speed at which bathing water information is made available to the public.
An additional task force comprising of my Department, Dublin City Council, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Irish Water is also looking at particular issues related to bathing water quality at Sandymount and Merrion Strand, including developing improved communication tools. This work will ensure that information on bathing water quality will be disseminated to the public as soon as possible and will assist the local authorities in undertaking one of their key functions under the Bathing Water Regulations.
Under the recently adopted Programme for Government, the Government has also committed to continuing the 8.5billion euro funding package agreed in Project Ireland 2040, which will provide investment in both drinking and wastewater infrastructure by Irish Water.
