Despite the recent destruction caused to the coastline in Mayo, there may be some relief for beaches which it was feared would lose their Blue Flag status this year because the damage caused would not be cleared up by the time they were inspected. An Taisce held its annual Blue Flag conference with local authorities this week to discuss the blue flag and green flag programs for this year.
Speaking to the Mayo Advertiser this week, Annabel Fitzgerald, coastal programmes manager with An Taisce said that all may not be lost for a number of beaches in Mayo that have been seriously damaged. “A beach can apply for dispensation when the facilities are under construction at the time of the application but will be finished by the start of the season,” she said. “However these must be in place by the start of the season.” She said that the a pre-season inspection will be carried out on those beaches to ensure they have been brought up to scratch.
