Blue flag beaches - Gifts we must cherish

THIS island – and those of us lucky enough to live on it despite everything – has many of the most beautiful beaches on the Atlantic seaboard.

It is a pity, though, that we do not cherish them as we should.

Yesterday’s news, despite a growing awareness of the elemental need to protect our environment, that only 72 Irish beaches were awarded Blue Flag status is an indictment of us all and our bad habits.

This is the fifth successive year in which the number of Blue Flag beaches in Ireland has been cut. Yesterday’s figure is the lowest since 2002. It is more than unfortunate that we have reverted to a position last recorded eight years ago.

It shows that we are not taking our responsibilities as seriously as we should. These beaches are wonderful places and play a central role in tourism. Each of us, as individuals or as officials, must do all we can to improve the status of these wonderful places.