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 Mr Phil Hogan T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government at a recent Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards ceremony, paid tribute to all the various stakeholders responsible for the increase in Blue and Green flags being awarded to Irish coasts; “Behind each of the 84 recipients lies a team of people who worked extremely hard to make the grade and to each and every one of them I extend my sincere congratulations,” said the Minister.
The Blue Flag is an international award for beach excellence which is operated in Ireland by An Taisce with support from the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. This year, 84 Blue Flags have been awarded, an increase of 8 in the number awarded in 2010. Of the total number, 82 Blue Flags went to beaches with 2 marinas, Killinure Point at Glasson, Lough Ree and Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford, also earning the coveted award.
Referring to the commitment in the Programme for Government to improve tourism, including the development of events focusing on water-based recreation, the Minister remarked that the value of good quality bathing water to the tourism industry cannot be underestimated.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister noted that the award of 84 Blue Flags equalled Ireland’s best ever performance when 84 Blue Flags were also awarded in 2006.
The Minister encouraged beach users to make use of the bathing water information available on linked websites – www.beachawards.ie and www.bathingwater.ie – run by An Taisce and the EPA respectively, during the bathing season, saying: “The provision of the most up to date information on water quality, tides, weather and presence of lifeguards at our beaches is of great benefit to the general public”.
Story adapted from Evnvironment, Community and Local Government News.
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