WATERWAYS IRELAND NEW REGIONAL OFFICE IN CARRICK ON SHANNON

PUBLIC MEETING

On Tuesday 6th September, Waterways Ireland organised a public meeting in the Landmark Hotel in Carrick on Shannon 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

Approximately 280 local residents and interested parties attended the meeting to provide feedback on the proposed building and its location. During the meeting, presentations were made by Waterways Ireland and the OPW. A model of the building along with drawings and plans were also on display. The two hour meeting was an opportunity for Waterways Ireland to listen to all comments and concerns regarding the proposed building and location, which will now be accorded due consideration before a final decision on whether or not to proceed to planning stages is made.

Waterways Ireland, the largest of the North/South Implementation Bodies established following the British-Irish Agreement in 1999, 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.

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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: 07.09.2005
PR050023