Anxious to see Mayo's Blue Flags restored

WEST Mayo councillors are anxious to see Blue Flags restored along Clew Bay after two were lost this year - Clare Island and Carrowmore outside Louisburgh.

Also locally, Bertra and Old Head have also not held flags for a number of years.

Mayo County Council head of environment, Martin Keating, at a municipal district meeting, said with Clare Island, there was one sample involved, so it was a narrow call.

Some investigations have been done and they were confident they are on the right track to get it resolved.

A number of samples were elevated in respect of Carrowmore last year. However, the first round of water sampling this season has returned good results and he was more confident for the year ahead, with all the pressures being followed up.

Irish Water had been asked about the wastewater treatment plants at Old Head and Louisburgh and the report back was that they were operating 'satisfactorily and as designed'.

Councillor Christy Hyland asked what can they do to try and get the flags back. They were vital in what is a huge tourist area.

He wondered if they should be focusing on other beaches, such as Carrowniskey and Silver Strand.

Could they earn flags there and retain them easier, he asked.

Mr. Keating said extending outside the programme would spread what are limited resources more thinly, and it would require capital to put in infrastructure on other beaches.

This year is critical for the ones experiencing difficulties. He would not recommend abandoning their current position on retaining and regaining flags at this time.

The pressures are different in the catchments of each beach, he explained, and that was the difference.

Councillor Sean Carey asked about toilet facilities on beaches in general, saying they are needed for the numbers using the beaches.