Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Thousands of people are swimming throughout the year. Last weekend, the water temperature was still high for this time of year, perhaps as a consequence of climate change. No matter how cold the water gets, swimmers will bathe throughout the winter. I agree with the Deputy that we need to give greater flexibility to local authorities in defining the bathing season. It does not end in September; perhaps it did 20 or 30 years ago except for a small handful of hardy people, but that is no longer the case. The same applies across the country. There are huge benefits to be gained from swimming in our waters throughout the year. We need to know what the water quality is and continue with ultraviolet radiation of water coming from the water station in Poolbeg, as an example of what the implications are. I will come back to this matter specifically. I do not have the details to hand on how we could make an amendment to the statutory instrument. However, I support it and hope the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, will advance it.

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