Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021
362. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department will take steps to begin systemically testing the bathing waters of Dublin Bay at ten different locations daily for the next 24 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27231/21]
View answer363. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if year round and more frequent testing of coastal bathing waters will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27304/21]
View answer388. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a commitment will be given to the systematic testing of the waters of Dublin Bay at a minimum of ten locations throughout 356 days of the year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26063/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 362, 363 and 388 together.
I am very aware of the recent increase in people swimming, and the increase of beach users generally, outside of the traditional bathing season in Dublin Bay (and in many other areas).
I have tasked the Bathing Water Expert Group with examining potential increases to the frequency of bathing water monitoring and improving the dissemination of results to improve information for people swimming outside of the designated bathing season. I have also requested that the Expert Group consider the issues related to changing the bathing water season, taking into account the current review by the European Commission of the Bathing Water Directive.
The bathing water report for 2020, which was recently published by the Environmental Protection Agency, 96% of bathing waters met or exceeded the minimum required standard. This is up from 95% in 2019 and improvements in bathing water quality are welcome and necessary.
