Water Safety Ireland and Fáilte Ireland were not consulted in advance of controversial draft bye-laws banning all watersports except for swimming off 24 Connemara beaches.

The new bye-laws proposed by Galway County Council have been widely criticised by watersports enthusiasts, including swimmers who point out that safety craft will even be breaking the law if the regulations are passed.

Water Safety Ireland (WSI), the State’s agency for training lifeguards, has offered to conduct risk assessments on all beaches in question.

Roger Sweeney of WSI said these risk assessments would “ensure that each of those locations is safe for all users, swimmers and others alike”.

Fáilte Ireland has expressed concern about the impact on a growing market for outdoor water-based activities, particularly along the Wild Atlantic Way.

It has said that “zoning” for different beach activities should be considered as an alternative.

The tourism body has also described some of the proposed wording as “ambiguous”.

Galway sailor and yacht chandler Pierce Purcell has said that lack of access was the single biggest obstacle to the development of water sport

The draft bye-laws state that “no person shall windsurf on sailboards or kite-surf on kiteboards or surf on a surfboard or use a canoe, kayak, dinghy, stand-up paddle board or water bike in close proximity to bathers” off any of the 24 named beaches.

The draft bye-laws also state that the council “ may at its discretion designate areas of any beach in and at which the use of surfboards and/or kiteboards and/or sailboards and/or canoes and kayaks and/or dinghies and/or stand-up paddle boards and/or water bikes is restricted or prohibited”.

Under the wording, the council may be empowered to issue on-the-spot fines of €75 euro to anyone in breach of conditions and, if found guilty in court, a fine of up to €1,904.60.

Earlier this month, Galway County Council director of services told a council meeting that there had been a “misinterpretation”, but this was challenged by Independent councillor Noel Thomas who said the wording was there in “black and white” and needed to be revised.

Watersport representative organisations have pointed out that consultation should have taken place before any draft legislation was published.

Blue Flag criteria stipulate that beaches must be accessible to all and that there must be management and zoning for different users to prevent conflicts and accidents.

Critics say that Galway County Council risks jeopardising Blue Flag status for the affected beaches if the bye-laws are passed without amendment.

Fáilte Ireland head of product development – activities Fiona Monaghan outlines the State agency’s “concerns” in a submission to Galway Council Council in which she proposes zoning to ensure safe areas for bathers.

She says that its research shows that “a growing number of both domestic and international visitors are engaging in outdoor water-based activities in recent years, and this is a trend that will continue to grow year upon year, and not just during the summer months”.

“It is well recognised that the pandemic has accelerated people’s appreciation and engagement with the outdoors, and we are fortunate that Galway has some of the most natural and unspoilt coastline along the Wild Atlantic Way,”she says, referring to six Blue Flag and six Green Coast awarded beaches in the county this year.

“Fáilte Ireland has made a significant investment in developing water-based activity tourism around Ireland in partnership with local authorities, with €19million allocated in April 2021 for the development of 20 world-class water sport facilities centres to support water sports activity providers and significantly enhance the visitor experience,” Monaghan says.

She says draft beach bye-laws should give “due regard” to watersport users and operators during the bathing season, and “greater clarity” is required in the wording on “prohibited acts” and on how both bathers and other beach users can access and enjoy the amenity.

“It is also important that the draft bye-laws recognise the requirement for small craft to provide support and safety to bathers at busy times and during open water swim events and tuition,” she says.

“For too long, there was very little appreciation of our coastline and pristine waters as a recreational amenity," she says, stating that it is "imperative that the draft beach bye-laws for Galway County support the use of our beaches and waters for recreation and tourism giving due regard to all users".

Waterways Ireland has reminded all Masters and users of the Grand Canal on Ireland's inland waterways that it intends to move vessels double or tripled berthed on the Grand Canal and Shannon Harbour that contravene the five day rule.

The enforcement of SI No. 24/1988: Canals Act, 1986 Bye Law (25 ,1 (d)) applies to all hard edged moorings in the harbour area with effect from 17th March 2011.

At Tullamore this area is deemed to be between White Hall Bridge and Waterways Ireland Offices.

At Shannon Harbour The area is deemed to be between 35th Lock Eastwards to Griffith Bridge.

This enforcement will clear the channel for navigation and facilitate the movement of both visiting and Shannon Harbour based vessels. Alternative berthing is available upstream of Griffith Bridge. Boats should only be moored singly on either side of the canal to permit the safe passage of craft. Bye Law (25, 1 (b) states that sufficient space must remain so that two vessels can pass at the same time. Berthage is also available on the North Bank between 35th and 36th Lock.

Vessels in contravention of this bye-law will be moved East or West of the area as space becomes available. Non permitted vessels will also be moved.

This enforcement will facilitate the movement of visiting vessels. Vessels should only moor directly onto quay walls and not double and triple berth. Alternative berthing is available on the main line.

Vessels in contravention of this bye-law will be moved onto the main line. Non permitted vessels will also be moved.

Owners and Masters of vessels are requested to assist in this enforcement in order to open the area to more vessels and facilitate the proper use of the harbour.