Sir, - In reply to Robin D. Heather (February 22nd), can I firstly and very clearly state that Wicklow County Council is not about to ban anglers from Blue Flag beaches in the garden county.
What has happened is that Wicklow County Council has prepared a set of draft beach bylaws for the three beaches that have Blue Flag status: Greystones, Brittas Bay North and Brittas Bay South. Wicklow is very proud of these beaches and as part of retaining this Blue Beach status a proper management plan must be in place, of which the bye-laws are a part.
Under a heading "Fishing", the following line appears: "The Council may designate areas of the beach and period of time with respect to the beach where and during which fishing will be prohibited." I can understand how some anglers may take this as an attempt to close the beaches to them, but I can state on behalf of Wicklow Council members that it will not be their intention to do any damage to sea-angling. As Mr Heather rightly pointed out, the council in fact promotes sea-angling in Wicklow.
I suggest that anglers make a submission to Wicklow County Council as the whole purpose of the public consultation is to get the views of the public.
Can I conclude by extending a renewed invitation to all sea-anglers to continue to use our very many beaches (Blue Flag or not) in Co Wicklow for the enjoyment of their sport and past-time? - Yours, etc.,
George A. Jones, MCCTC, Chairman, Environmental Strategic Committee, Wicklow County Council, Greystones, Co Wicklow.