Lack of licensing system for swimming pools criticised

THERE is no licensing system or regulations for the running of private or public swimming pools in Ireland.

The anomaly has come to light following the drowning of 8-year-old Issac Agaba-Adefeya last week in Navan.

Irish Water Safety (IWS), which is the statutory body that deals with water safety and trains most of the country’s lifeguards, confirmed it has no power of inquiry into such incidents in private pools unless specifically directed to do so by the Environment Minister.

It also confirmed there is no licensing system for any pool, whether public or private.

IWS chief executive John Leech said: “We would be very happy if we were allowed to investigate incidents in private pools.”

Gardaí are investigating what happened at the Aura pool at Leisurelink in Navan. The company is also carrying out an internal inquiry.

There were eight lifeguards on duty at the pool on the day. The company said it had “a detailed and comprehensive set of safety and emergency procedures in practice at all 10 of its centres in which all staff are fully trained.

“Aura constantly reviews the safety procedures in operation at all of its centres. The company’s existing procedures employ international best practice”.

However, it is understood the firm will not automatically provide a copy of the findings of its inquiry to the family and that decision will be taken at a later stage.

A spokesman for IWS said while Ireland has one of the best reputations for water safety, it regularly gets complaints from the public about pools in hotels and other private facilities which do not have lifeguards on duty.

“There is no form of licensing for public or private pools or regulations they have to comply with other than the voluntary guidelines we have created,” he added.

While a spokesperson for the Department of the Environment said the minister “has no role in the investigation,” of the incident, and that there are no plans for a licensing system at the moment, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment Michael Finneran assured IWS he would raise the issue when the Dáil resumes.