Nothing adds up as crystal clear waters lose out

It sounds like a typical Irish conundrum — a beach that fails to achieve blue flag status because its water is too clear.

Yet this apparent contradiction is more rightfully laid at the hand of that other regular fall-guy — the EU official.

A mini-storm has erupted in Clare after two of the main tourist beaches in the county, Lahinch and White Strand Miltown Malbay, lost their coveted blue flag status in the 2013 list.