Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the reason Youghal beach in County Cork failed to meet the EU Bathing Water Directive 76/4160/EEC; the measures being taken to counter the reason for this failure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24124/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Statutory responsibility for the protection and improvement of bathing water quality is assigned primarily to local authorities acting under the general supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The 2007 EPA Report on Bathing Water Quality indicated that Youghal strand failed to meet the required standard because of the presence of faecal coliforms in excess of the limit laid down in the Bathing Water Regulations. I understand that the breach of the standard occurred on 17 July 2007 following a period of wet weather. Follow-up sampling was carried out on 23 July 2007 and the results were clear. The unusually high rainfall last summer appears to have been a factor in the failure of certain bathing areas to achieve the required standards.

Under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme, Youghal — together with nearby Claycastle — will be incorporated into the Youghal sewerage scheme at an estimated cost of €14.42 million.