Blue Flag beaches and marinas in Ireland

Rules

A Blue Flag award is awarded to beach or marina is for one season (July to August) only.

Blue Flag criteria for European beaches

The award of a European Blue Flag beach depends on compliance with 29 criteria covering the following aspects:

• Water quality
• Environmental education and information
• Environmental management
• Safety and services

Water quality

European beaches must:

• Adhere to the relevant standards, such as the EU Bathing Water Directive
• Make sure that no industrial or sewage-related discharges can affect the beach area
• Have local and/or regional emergency plans to deal with pollution accidents

These criteria must be adhered to in order to gain a Blue Flag.

In addition, European beaches must comply with requirements for sewage treatment and effluent quality such as are contained in the EU Urban Waste Water Directive and ensure that no algal or other vegetation can accumulate and be left to decay on the beach, except in areas designated for a specific use and as long as this does not constitute a nuisance(these two conditions are merely guidelines).

Environmental education and information

A prompt public warning must be issued if the beach or part of the beach has become or is expected to become grossly polluted or otherwise unsafe. The beach's emergency plan must include procedures for issuing public warnings in such cases.

The beach's tourist information must publicly display information on natural sensitive areas in the coastal zone, including its flora and fauna. The information must include advice on how beach users should behave in such areas.

The beach operator must undertake to:

• Publicly display on the beach updated information about bathing water quality in the form of a table or figure that can be easily understood
• Display as close to the Blue Flag as possible information about the Blue Flag, including the aspects covered by the Blue Flag and who is responsible at local and national level
• Remove the Blue Flag if an imperative criterion is no longer fulfilled.

The local community and the beach operator should together be able to show that at least five environmental education activities are offered at the beach.

Laws governing beach use must be made easily available to members of public upon request, e.g., in tourist offices, the town hall or on the beach. In addition, a code of conduct for the beach area must be posted on the beach.

The local community should have an Environmental Interpretation Centre or similar permanent public environmental education place dealing with the coastal environment (this is merely a guideline). Such a centre may be declared a Blue Flag Centre if it provides information about the Blue Flag award and serves as a focal point for public environmental education activities about the coast and sea.

Environmental management

The local community must possess a land-use and development plan for its coastal zone. This plan and the current activities of the community in the coastal zone must comply with planning regulations and coastal zone protection regulations. If the community is very small, the plan may be part of a larger regional plan.

The beach must possess adequate numbers of litter bins, which must be properly secured and regularly maintained and emptied. There must be adequate provision for refuse, algal matter and other pollutants collected at the beach and the waste collected at the beach must be disposed of in a licensed facility.

There must be provision for a daily beach clean during the bathing season when necessary. On the beach, the following are forbidden:

Driving unless it is specifically authorised

• Beach bike or car races
• Dumping
• Unauthorised camping

Beaches where cars are allowed must have designated areas on the beach for parking, car-free zones and the water's edge must always be kept free from cars. In addition, there must be safe access to the beach.

There must be management of different users and uses of the beach so as to prevent accidents and conflicts.

If there are natural areas bordering the beach, steps must be taken to prevent negative impacts from the use of and traffic to and from the beach and its waters.

The beach must have adequate and clean sanitary facilities with controlled sewage disposal that conforms with the requirements of the criteria concerning the EU Urban Waste Water Directive.

In addition, it is recommended that the beach should have facilities for receiving recyclable waste materials, such as glass bottles and cans and that the local community promotes environmentally friendly means of transportation in the beach area, such as bicycling, walking and public transportation.

Safety and services

There must be beach guards are on duty during the bathing season and/or adequate safety provisions, including lifesaving equipment and directions for their use and immediate access to a telephone.

Lifesaving equipment must:

• Be of a type that is approved by national lifesaving/guarding bodies
• Include instructions for use
• Be permanently and immediately accessible on the beach
• Be regularly checked and tested to ensure proper functioning.

Similarly, beach guards must be trained and accredited according to national requirements established by authorities or professional associations.

There must be easy and ready access to a telephone in cases where the beach is not safeguarded by beach guards.

First aid must be made available on the beach and its location must be easily identified.

National laws concerning dogs, horses, and other domestic animals must be strictly enforced on the beach. Animals' access and activities must under all circumstances be controlled.

At least one of the local authority's beaches must have access ramps to the beach and toilet facilities for people with disabilities, except where the topography does not allow for it. In cases where the local authority has only one beach awarded with the Blue Flag, this beach must have access and facilities for the disabled, except where the topography does not permit it.

All buildings and equipment at the beach must be properly maintained.

It is recommended that the beach should have a shielded source of drinking water.

Blue Flag criteria for marinas

Water quality

Both the water and land belonging to the marina must be visually clean (no sewage, oil, litter, etc.) - exceptions are made for freak weather conditions.

No untreated sewage from boats and/or land should enter the marina or its coastal vicinities.

Environmental education and information

Environmental information should be made available to marina users, including details of any sensitive areas to be avoided when sailing or mooring, unless such information is deemed to endanger the site or its specimens.

The marina should employ a resource person who can be consulted on environmental and Blue Flag issues.

The marina must produce a code of environmental conduct and post the Blue Flag Marina criteria and any additional national requirements in an accessible site, close to the Blue Flag.

The marina should be able to show that at least three environmental education activities are being offered to the users and staff of the marina.

Environmental management

The marina must:

• Produce an environmental policy and plan at the marina. The plan should include references to water, waste and energy consumption, health and safety issues, and the use of environmentally sound products when they are available.
• Have adequate and properly identified and segregated containers for the storage of hazardous wastes (paints, solvents, boat scrapings, antifouling agents, batteries, waste oil, flares). These wastes should be handled by a licensed contractor and disposed of at a licensed facility for hazardous waste.
• Have adequate and well managed litter bins and/or garbage containers. These wastes should be handled by a licensed contractor and disposed of by a licensed facility.
• Have facilities for receiving recyclable waste materials, such as bottles, cans, paper, plastic, organic material, etc.
• Ensure that all buildings and equipment are properly maintained and in compliance with national legislation. In addition, the marina must be in a good integration with the surrounding natural and built environment.
• Have adequate, clean and well sign-posted sanitary facilities, including washing facilities and drinking water. There should be controlled sewage disposal to a licensed sewage treatment.
• Ensure that there is no parking/driving in the marina, unless in specific designated areas.
• If the marina has boat repairing and washing areas, it should ensure that no pollution enters the sewage system, marina land and water or the natural surroundings.

In addition, it is recommended that toilet pumping facilities and bilge water pumping facilities are present in the marina and that the marine promotes sustainable transportation

Safety and services

The marina must have:

• Have adequate, clean and well sign-posted lifesaving, first-aid equipment and fire-fighting equipment. This equipment must be approved by national authorities.
• Have an emergency plan in case of pollution, fire or other accidents. Safety precautions must be posted at the marina.
• Make electricity and water available at the berths. Installations must be approved according to national legislation.
• Post a map indicating the location of the different facilities.

In addition, it is recommended that the marina introduces facilities for disabled people.