Posted on May 8, 2023
Minister Darragh O’Brien TD has been urged by Labour leader Ivana Bacik TD to pass a bill which aims to protect Dublin Bay.
Deputy Bacik tabled the Dublin Bay Bill last year which proposes the establishment of a Dublin Bay Authority to safeguard the natural amenity.
“Dublin Bay is one of the greatest resources our city has,” Deputy Bacik said in a statement.
“It is the view that welcomes us home when flying into Dublin Airport.
“It is where many of us learned to swim, sail or paddle.
“It is where many of us enjoyed our first 99 ice-cream.
“It is the location for the opening chapter of Dublin’s great novel, Ulysses.
“All Dubliners have strong connections to our coastline.”
Deputy Bacik says that Dublin Bay has been “neglected” by Government policy and water quality is “poor” far too often.
“There are serious concerns about wastewater discharges from the Ringsend Wastewater Treatment plant and the potential damage that dredging of the port is causing to the ecosystem,” she said.
Last week the Dollymount Dames, a swimming group based in Dollymount held a protest highlighting the bathing water quality.
The group said it was “dismayed” at the “consistent” poor water quality.
“North Bull Wall water samples have been consistently deemed as of ‘Poor’ quality since October 2022 until March 2023.
“Furthermore, we are also protesting the length of the designated bathing season.
“According to Irish Water, the designated bathing season is from June 1 to September 15, in accordance with the requirements of the Wastewater Discharge Licence.
“We ask that the bathing season be extended to all year round.
“This will put pressure on Uisce Eireann to monitor and treat wastewater with UV Treatment systems from January to December, thus reducing the levels of E-Coli and pollution released into Dublin Bay together with the surrounding Santry and Tolka Rivers.”
Deputy Bacik said there is a “strong public appetite for the Government to better protect the Bay.
“It comes up regularly on the doors in my constituency in Dublin Bay South, and I know the same is true of other coastal constituencies.
“We need a joined-up approach to the future protection and enhancement of Dublin Bay.”
The bill proposes the establishment of the Dublin Bay Authority which would be responsible for the protection of the coastline.
“It will also have a mandate to improve access and facilities around Dublin Bay,” she says.
“For decades, we’ve had to endure the crumbling dereliction of the old Sandymount and Blackrock baths along our coast.
“These were once hubs of community activity, hosting swimming contests, water polo matches, and featuring bandstands and music.
“That is the type of public use that we need to see back at Dublin Bay, and it is something which requires a centralised vision.”
Deputy Bacik is calling on the Minister to pass the bill by the end of the year.
