Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 79 of 2008).

These Regulations carry into effect Community Directive 2006/7/EC aiming at improvement of the quality of bathing waters. The Regulations establish a new classification system for bathing water quality based on four classifications and generally require that a classification of at least sufficient be achieved by 2015 for all bathing waters. Local authorities must take appropriate measures to improve waters and are required annually to identify bathing waters, establish a monitoring calendar, carry out the specified monitoring, report the results to the Environment Protection Agency, carry out appropriate management measures where necessary and provide information to the public. The Agency is required by the Regulations to classify bathing waters.