David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 1517: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if a national policy with consistent guidelines exists on the management of dangerous beaches; if not, his views on developing such a policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2459/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is advised by the Irish Water Safety Association that there is no known world or European standard to designate a "dangerous beach". The existing policy of completing risk assessments on all beaches that are used by the public with necessary follow up action by local authorities is considered to be the most appropriate approach.

Beaches by their nature are hazardous and depending on their usage are normally assessed for risk by a qualified and experienced risk assessor of the IWSA who will make a detailed report which will be forwarded to the relevant local authority for its follow up action. This action may be the erection of water safety signage, the provision of public rescue equipment, works such as installation of safety chains, ladders, steps, improvements to slipways, movement of boulders or sand and other engineering works according to the recommendations in the risk assessment report.

Beaches change due to a change in environmental conditions and as a result of development. One of the qualifying criteria for a blue flag beach is that it must have been assessed for risk within the previous three years.