Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the State vacation policy we are promoting, which is very important. In the past three or four days we have seen vast crowds go to many amenities throughout the country. However, there is a serious lack of infrastructure. Large crowds flocked to beaches in west Cork last weekend where there was a lack of amenities such as toilets and lifeguards. The issue must be examined for the coming month. Investment by local authorities, in particular in toilets at beaches, must be promoted in the next four weeks as, I hope, we will see a major influx of Irish visitors come to our beaches. It is a basic but important issue for society that people can go to the beach to enjoy themselves without worrying about toilet facilities.It is bizarre. Lifeguards are another major issue. Beaches that did not have lifeguards previously are now being subject to large numbers of visitors. We need a major promotion to get lifeguards on beaches in the next four weeks as well.

On the cleaning of beaches, sea algae is a massive issue. In Harbour View in west Cork, in particular, 3 m or 4 m of sea algae have been washed on to the beach and is staying there. We need a programme for cleaning these beaches in the next few weeks. If we do not, the beautiful amenities we have cannot be enjoyed to the full. We need to promote it but also to add the services that are required for a modern society to enjoy a beach location.