Ireland is joint fourth in the EU for the quality of its coastal bathing sites. It is also joint first for inland bathing waters.
Almost 97 per cent of coastal bathing areas in Europe and almost 94 per cent of inland bathing areas met the criteria set out in the EU's directive.
The 18th bathing water report covers 11,502 seaside beaches and 4,338 freshwater areas monitored last year. In 1992 about 85 per cent of coastal waters had good-quality bathing water. In 2000 almost 97 per cent met the directive's quality criteria. Of the 4,200 inland bathing areas monitored in 1992, less than 50 per cent had good water, so the improvement, to almost 94 per cent, has been substantial.
Belgium's coastal waters were in full compliance for the second consecutive year. Belgium is the only member-state to reach 100 per cent compliance for its coastal waters. Unfortunately, its fresh waters have deteriorated for the third year in a row, and it has just over 90 per cent compliance.
Greece, Luxembourg and Ireland show the most consistent records for the past three years, both for coastal and fresh waters. The UK has improved its compliance rate for coastal waters, reaching 94.4 per cent, up 3 per cent on last year. For fresh waters, compliance has dropped for the second consecutive year (100 per cent in 1998, 90.9 per cent in 1999) to only 81.8 per cent.
Presenting the report, the Environment Commissioner, Ms Margot Wallstrom, said: "The continuous improvement of bathing waters around Europe is very encouraging. Children and adults alike should be able to enjoy swimming without worrying about stomach infections from water contaminated by sewage.
"In the light of new scientific knowledge and management standards we have decided to revise the directive to ensure that the improvements in water quality continue."