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17/04/2003
MLA claims Euro victory for Ulster beaches
A move by Eurocrats which could have had major repercussions on Ulster’s traditional seaside tourist industry, has been averted.
This is according to Ulster Unionist MLA, George Savage who has claimed to have successfully challenged the right of Europe to close Ulster beaches which don’t meet water quality standards.
The Upper Bann Assembly member said he has has secured the backing of the EU’s Committee of the Regions for amendments he proposed to recommendations to the EU Commission on the quality of bathing water.
Mr Savage, who has served on the Committee for the past four years, had argued that immediate closure of beaches which failed to meet new and higher EU standards on water quality, was unacceptable to the public and would damage local tourism in many cases.
Mr Savage said: “The amendments I successfully proposed will prevent the Commission taking immediate powers to close beaches that do not pass the new stringent bathing water quality standards being introduced which is being addressed by the Water Service here at present."
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland could lose out on millions of pounds of tourist revenue because of the quality of its beaches.
This is according to Tidy Northern Ireland, organisers of the UK's awards scheme for beaches, who issued the warning after it was revealed that only local beaches feature in a list of top seaside resorts.
Organisers have also warned that plans to toughen up on water quality levels could affect the rating of several beaches.
(MB)
This is according to Ulster Unionist MLA, George Savage who has claimed to have successfully challenged the right of Europe to close Ulster beaches which don’t meet water quality standards.
The Upper Bann Assembly member said he has has secured the backing of the EU’s Committee of the Regions for amendments he proposed to recommendations to the EU Commission on the quality of bathing water.
Mr Savage, who has served on the Committee for the past four years, had argued that immediate closure of beaches which failed to meet new and higher EU standards on water quality, was unacceptable to the public and would damage local tourism in many cases.
Mr Savage said: “The amendments I successfully proposed will prevent the Commission taking immediate powers to close beaches that do not pass the new stringent bathing water quality standards being introduced which is being addressed by the Water Service here at present."
Elsewhere, Northern Ireland could lose out on millions of pounds of tourist revenue because of the quality of its beaches.
This is according to Tidy Northern Ireland, organisers of the UK's awards scheme for beaches, who issued the warning after it was revealed that only local beaches feature in a list of top seaside resorts.
Organisers have also warned that plans to toughen up on water quality levels could affect the rating of several beaches.
(MB)
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17 October 2013
NI Beaches Achieve 100% Quality
Every one of Northern Ireland's 23 beaches officially identified as bathing waters have passed the EC Bathing Waters Directive mandatory standard for water quality. The announcement makes 2013 the best year ever for bathing water quality in Northern Ireland, since bathing waters were first designated under the EC Bathing Water Directive in 1994.
NI Beaches Achieve 100% Quality
Every one of Northern Ireland's 23 beaches officially identified as bathing waters have passed the EC Bathing Waters Directive mandatory standard for water quality. The announcement makes 2013 the best year ever for bathing water quality in Northern Ireland, since bathing waters were first designated under the EC Bathing Water Directive in 1994.
24 August 2007
NI Beaches Hit By Pollution Problems
Beach water quality on Northern Ireland strands has suffered this year due to the torrential rain and procession of storms across the UK and Ireland. The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has reported that Ballyholme, Carnlough and Newcastle have met only "Basic Pass" standards.
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Beach water quality on Northern Ireland strands has suffered this year due to the torrential rain and procession of storms across the UK and Ireland. The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has reported that Ballyholme, Carnlough and Newcastle have met only "Basic Pass" standards.
03 May 2012
NI's Beaches Passing Bathing Water Standards Welcome
Environment Minister, Alex Attwood today welcomed the publication of the Marine Conservation Society Report, Good Beach Guide for 2012 passing EC standards for Northern Ireland's beaches. The recommendations in the guide are based on water quality measurement and perceived pollution risk at 24 of Northern Ireland's most popular bathing beaches.
NI's Beaches Passing Bathing Water Standards Welcome
Environment Minister, Alex Attwood today welcomed the publication of the Marine Conservation Society Report, Good Beach Guide for 2012 passing EC standards for Northern Ireland's beaches. The recommendations in the guide are based on water quality measurement and perceived pollution risk at 24 of Northern Ireland's most popular bathing beaches.
20 September 2011
Cleanest NI Waters Praised
All 24 of Northern Ireland's identified beaches passed the EC Bathing Waters Directive mandatory standards for water quality in 2011. Environment Minister Alex Attwood today announced the news in advance of the Second Good Beach Summit and said: "These are the best results in the last 15 years equalling those achieved in 1996.
Cleanest NI Waters Praised
All 24 of Northern Ireland's identified beaches passed the EC Bathing Waters Directive mandatory standards for water quality in 2011. Environment Minister Alex Attwood today announced the news in advance of the Second Good Beach Summit and said: "These are the best results in the last 15 years equalling those achieved in 1996.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
