Written Answers. - Water Quality.
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:
134
Mr. Gogarty
asked the
Minister for the Environment Heritage and Local Government
the measures he intends to put in place to promote blue flag beaches and to ensure that Ireland increases the number of blue flag beaches; and the measures which will be taken to ensure that, in particular, existing blue flag beaches do not lose their designation as has been the case with some well known beaches in 2003.
[16212/03]
I refer to the replies to Question No. 17 of 10 October 2002 and to Question No. 137 of 14 May 2003. The total of 79 blue flags awarded in 2003 in relation to 73 beaches and six marinas maintained the high number of blue flags awarded in 2002. The loss of blue flags at three beaches in 2002 was balanced by the award or restoration of blue flags in three other areas.
The blue flag scheme is operated by the Foundation for Environmental Education, FEE, a non-governmental organisation, and is administered in Ireland by An Taisce. The awarding or withdrawal of a blue flag is decided by FEE. My Department provides grant aid to An Taisce as a contribution towards the administration expenses of the blue flag scheme in Ireland.
My Department 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. I understand that An Taisce is currently undertaking research in the matter and aim to have the research report completed by August 2003.
My Department's updated Programme for Investment in Water Services 2002-2004, relates to 380 waste water schemes with an estimated capital value of €2.6 billion, including all of the schemes needed for compliance with the requirement of the urban waste water treatment directive. The Ringsend waste water treatment plant, the largest such project hitherto constructed in Ireland, will deal with the wastewater treatment requirement of all of Dublin city and south Dublin, significant areas of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and Fingal, and parts of County Meath. This scheme will produce the single biggest ever improvement in the quality of Irish coastal waters and will in time restore bathing water standards throughout Dublin Bay.
By the end of 2003, Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway, and many other smaller urban centres will have state-of-the-art waste water treatment facilities in place and operational. Major schemes are well advanced in Cork, Limerick Galway and Wexford. Other major coastal schemes under construction, or due to start this year, include the Carrigaline, Cobh, Dungarvan, Sligo, Tramore and Waterford main drainage schemes. Schemes for Bray, Bundoran, New Ross and Shanganagh are approved for funding to commence in 2004, together with the Arklow main drainage scheme, subject to the outcome of current legal proceedings relating to the proposed location of the treatment plant in the latter case. This major programme of investment in coastal areas will have a significant positive effect on the quality of bathing water in the surrounding areas and should increase the possibility of blue flags awards.
Question No. 135 answered with Question No. 117.
