JUNE 2005

Three Blue Flags for Inishowen

Three Inishowen beaches are among the eleven beaches in Donegal to receive a Blue Flag Award. The beaches at Shrove, Culdaff and Lisfannon are among the eleven beaches in Donegal to gain the coveted award. The other beaches in the county to receive the award were Fainter, Rossnowlagh, Portsalon, Carrickfinn, Bundoran, Marble Hill, Murvagh and Killahoey.

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr Dick Roche, said at the ceremony that he was pleased that Ireland had gained 82 Blue Flags this year, the highest the country has gained since the scheme started in 1988. The Blue Flags are awarded on the basis of compliance with EU bathing water quality standards and with a wide range of other conditions in relation to environmental management, safety, services, facilities and environmental education and information. The Minister noted that 98% of Irish coastal bathing areas comply with mandatory EU values while a commendable 88% comply with the stricter aspirational 'guide' values. He said, "I welcome the rise in number of bathing areas reaching 'mandatory' and 'guide value' in 2004. While these are impressive results, we cannot rest on our laurels. We must continue to make every effort to reduce and prevent water pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of Environmental Enforcement will be working with local authorities over the coming year in areas where water quality failed to meet the appropriate standards."

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