WATERWAYS IRELAND NEW REGIONAL OFFICE IN CARRICK ON SHANNON

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

Waterways Ireland is one of six North/South Implementation Bodies established following the British-Irish Agreement in 1999. Waterways Ireland, the largest of the North/South Implementation Bodies, is responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterway systems.

Following a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in June 2000, it was agreed that the Northern Regional Office for Waterways Ireland would be located in Carrick-on-Shannon in recognition of the strategic importance of the waterside town and the contribution of the waterway to the local economy. The Waterways Ireland Northern Region encompasses the Shannon-Erne Waterway, the Erne System and the Lower Bann Navigation (which runs from Lough Neagh, north to the sea at Coleraine). In addition, the Northern Regional office will be the base for North Shannon Operations and Marketing and Communications staff.

Waterways Ireland intends to construct a quality landmark building at a waterfront location which will facilitate access to the Regional Office for customers by water and by road.

The proposed site for the new Regional Office at Cortober is owned by Waterways Ireland. The proposed building will be set behind the mature trees which stand on the site, and will cover approximately one quarter of the site. The area of the building is 1000m2 with 19 underground parking spaces, a ground floor, first floor and terraced roof. The construction of the building will also include approximately 100m of public jetties which will accommodate up to 10 craft. These facilities will be the first public moorings on the east side of the river and will provide access to Cortober from the water.

A public consultation meeting is planned for Tuesday 6th September at 7.30pm in the Landmark Hotel, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim. The public meeting is taking place to consider views of interested parties as part of the consultation process for the proposed new regional office for Waterways Ireland in Cortober, Carrick on Shannon. All interested parties are invited to attend. In advance of the meeting, a model of the proposed new Regional Office will be available to view in the Waterways Ireland office, Somerview House, Old Dublin Road, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim. Viewing times are from 10am - 1pm and 2.30pm - 5pm, Monday to Friday. For further details on the public meeting, please call Waterways Ireland at 071 9650787.

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Further information from:

Ms. Aoife Morrissy, Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland, 00 353 71 9650787 or 00 353 87 9918412. Or:
Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland, 00 44 28 66346203.

Date: 02.09.2005
PR050022