The potential of a legislative approach to managing beach use: The case of beach bylaws in the republic of Ireland

The ways in which people use beaches have important implications for coastal zone management, and in order for beach use to be sustainable, it often needs to be managed. The degree and mode of management depends on the circumstances of the beach, region, and country in question. The present legislation and coastal zone management framework in Ireland has shortcomings when in comes to managing beach use. One way of working within the present system to improve coastal management is through the use of bylaws managing beach use. They provide an opportunity for an integrated management approach that can focus on beach use, reflect the needs of the local community, and avoid the problems caused by the land-sea divide and the division of responsibility in the coastal zone.