The DOE's Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) monitor 16 identified bathing waters under the EC Bathing Water Directive.

BBC: NI beaches 'quality' flagged

Water quality must also have reached the microbiological Guideline Standards of the Bathing Water Directive - the highest defined by European Law.

BBC: Eight NI beaches win blue flags

This was partly due to a lower level of infrastructure at the time of privatisation, but also due to the fact the region "has been significantly more burdened by the cost of the Bathing Water Directive than any other region in the country", he told MPs.

BBC: Water Bill will 'correct inequality' - minister