McCarthy – Beach test results will help boost Northern Ireland tourism

Alliance MLA Kieran McCarthy has welcomed the news that all of Northern Ireland’s 24 beaches have passed European clean bathing water tests to be able to fly a blue flag in 2012. But he stressed that we must do more to ensure we continue to pass these tests.

Kieran McCarthy MLA said: “This is excellent news that all of our beaches have passed these tests. Many tourists have stated that our beaches have made Northern Ireland a very attractive place to visit. We should be doing all we can to make sure we continue to have the some of the cleanest beaches possible.

“What we need is a Marine Management Organisation to ensure that all users of our waters from the shoreline to far out at sea use it responsibly and do not do anything to affect water quality.

“Our beaches are still at risk from pollution so should not rest on our laurels after this great achievement, we should be looking to repeat these results year after year.”

ENDS