Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ireland does not have the worst drowning rates in Europe. In fact, countries such as Lithuania and Latvia have considerably more, but any drowning is just awful. I live in Monaghan where there are a lot of lakes. There are a lot of lakes in Cavan; there are 365 of them, actually. I am very well aware of the dangers of our water systems, both those at sea and on lakes in inland counties.

Northern Ireland does not have full-time coverage from Easter to September. The service builds in a phased approach starting with a small number of beaches being patrolled from the Easter school holidays, increasing through the season until the peak school summer holidays. All Blue Flag beaches require lifeguards for all weekends in June here in Ireland, full-time in July and August and again for weekends for the first two weeks in September. Some countries have busier beaches, and they extend that weekend coverage in June to full time.

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