Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 960: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will explain the criteria relating to the designation of coastal locations under the EU Bathing Water Directive 79/160/EEC as bathing areas; his views on designating Trá Inis Oirr in the Aran Islands, County Galway under the directive in order that it might be eligible for submission by the local authority as a blue flag beach or green coast award; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11584/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The most recent designation of bathing areas by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government under the EU Bathing Water Directive 76/160/EEC was made in 2001. No designations have been made since that time having regard to proposals then being brought forward by the European Commission for revision of bathing water governance.

In December 2000 the Commission adopted a formal communication on developing a new bathing water policy and initiated a large-scale consultation of all interested parties. This led to the publication, in October 2002, of a proposal for the revision of the 1976 Directive (Directive 1976/160/EEC) and ultimately to the adoption in February 2006 of a new Directive (Directive 2006/7/EC) concerning the management of bathing water quality.

The identification of bathing waters is now a matter for local authorities under the Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 79 of 2008) which I made recently to transpose into Irish law the EU Bathing Water Directive 2006. These Regulations establish more stringent water quality standards for protection of the health of bathers, place stronger emphasis on public information and the management of bathing waters, and require increased public participation particularly in relation to the identification of bathing waters. The Regulations assign to local authorities the duty of annually identifying all bathing waters in relation to the bathing season in that year. Accordingly, I do not envisage making any further designations of bathing waters under the Quality of Bathing Waters Regulations 1992, which are being superseded by the new Regulations.

I understand that Galway County Council has recently made an application to An Taisce for a Green Coast Award in relation to Trá Inis Oirr. Beaches with Green Coast Awards are mainly rural beaches. They are not required to have the same level of infrastructure, facilities and services as Blue Flag beaches and are not required to be designated under the Bathing Water Regulations. The Green Coast Awards recognize excellent water quality, high environmental standards, good management and community involvement. I have this year provided additional funding to An Taisce for the purpose of administering the Green Coast Award, and for expanding this programme nationwide, where previously it applied only to eastern and south eastern regions.