Vol. 426 No. 5
38 Miss Harney asked the Minister for the Environment the way in which local authorities will be encouraged to continue participating in the Blue Flag scheme as outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government 1993-1997; and if, in particular, local authorities will be given any financial assistance to allow them to meet with the standards set for the scheme.
Wexford): The elimination of pollution of bathing areas caused by sewage discharges is a policy objective of the Environment Action Programme and will receive special consideration in the allocation of capital under my Department's Water and Sanitary Services Programme.
In addition, my Department will consider applications from local authorities to raise loans for miscellaneous environmental services, including those relating to beach improvement works.
Local authorities are obliged under the Quality of Bathing Waters Regulations, 1992, to ensure that high standards are observed and they have extensive powers under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts, 1977 and 1990, to have any measures necessary taken to control pollution sources.
