There was major excitement in Portmarnock relating to the return of the Blue Flag to the wonderful popular Velvet Strand, according to local Labour Councillor Peter Coyle. An Taisce, in conjunction with Fingal Co Council, hosted the 2010 International Blue Flag & National Green Coast Awards ceremony in Portmarnock on June 14th. Minister John Gormley presented the awards.
The
Portmarnock beach met Blue Flag water quality standards in 2008 and 2009 and
so was eligible for the Blue Flag this year, according to Cllr Peter Coyle,
who is a regular swimmer on this beach.
Malahide,
Sutton and Howth beaches unfortunately did not meet the standard last year. The
rainy season contributed to poor results. There are also problems with the
drainage pipe network in Malahide, which is due for upgrade over the next three
to four years.
The
discharge of the remaining untreated sewage from the nose of Howth is being
addressed as part of current works (Dublin Bay Contract 5). Under this
contract, sewage from the remainder of the North Dublin Catchment (i.e. Sutton,
and Howth) is being transferred into the new pump station at Sutton, for
transfer to Ringsend. Improvements in
bathing water quality along the coastline are expected once these works are in
place.
Recently
Cllr Peter Coyle sent congratulations and thanks to the staff from Fingal’s
Environment Department for their good work on Portmarnock beach over recent
weeks. He had monitored the situation over the fine sunny days in May, as well
as enjoying local swimming in the crystal clear seawater.
Extra
resources had been put in to clean up the area in early mornings, despite the
poor co-operation by many beach users in littering. There are many bins in place
on the beach, thus addressing the complaints against Fingal in 2009.
According
to Cllr Peter Coyle, one of the big issues that needs to be addressed is
drinking on the beach. The Gardai need to be involved more at weekends, as
drinking alcohol is widespread. In reality applying the Drinking in Public
Places Bye-laws is more readily implementable than the litter laws (where
people are just sitting around the place).
Peter
recommends a major publicity/advertising campaign about drinking and littering,
by the Department of the Environment, to get the message home, and the 'severe'
penalties that can apply. Public standards need to be improved. What
happens here would not be tolerated internationally. Peter points out that that
smoking bans are being introduced on beaches in California, not because of the
'smoke', but because of litter!
Portmarnock has now got the Blues….the Blue Flag waving over the Velvet Strand!