Natural hazard - Bathing waters pass muster

Why, when there’s a rare piece of genuinely good news, does it have to be spoilt with a rider about a risk that cannot in any way be diminished?

Readers hardy enough to swim — or just paddle — in Ireland’s invigorating oceans will be happy to hear that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) marks 102 of 142 coastal bathing waters as excellent and 18 as good.