LAUNCH OF THE ACCESSIBLE SAILING PROGRAMME

Waterways Ireland is delighted to announce the development of a programme to support increased access to the inland waterways for people with disabilities.

As part of the first phase of this project, an accessible sailing programme will be organised during the summer of 2008 on the inland waterways in conjunction with Lough Ree Yacht Club, Lough Derg Yacht Club and the SHARE Centre on Lough Erne.

The accessible sailing programme was officially launched by Mr Edwin Poots, MLA, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and Mr Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs at the London Boat Show on Friday 18th January at 3pm.

Speaking at the launch, Culture Minister Edwin Poots, MLA said: "I am pleased to be here at the London Boat Show to launch this new programme which supports greater access for both able-bodied and disabled people to the inland waterways. I hope this programme will encourage more people to get out on the water and enjoy the wonderful waterways throughout the region. I congratulate Waterways Ireland on promoting this cross-border initiative."

Minister Ó Cuív said, "I am delighted to be here today to launch the Accessible Sailing Programme which can only be of huge benefit to those keen sailors involved. I would like to commend Waterways Ireland for their commitment and innovation in increasing access to the waterways for all in the community whether able-bodied or with disabilities and I would like to wish those involved in the new programme every success".

Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing and Communications with Waterways Ireland spoke of the potential for future development of programmes to improve access to the waterways for user groups which traditionally did not have access to this recreational resource.

He said, "Promoting greater use of the Waterways to all user groups and enabling access to people with disabilities is very important and is something that Waterways Ireland will be focusing on more and more, not only in the development of programmes in partnership with sailing clubs, for example, but also in terms of the infrastructural access to waterway locations and access to relevant information".

Waterways Ireland is the North/South Implementation Body responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterways principally for recreational purposes.

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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: 23.01.2008

Mr Edwin Poots, MLA, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Northern Ireland); Mr John Martin, Chief Executive, Waterways Ireland; and Mr Éamon Ó Cuív, T.D., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Republic of Ireland) at the launch of the Waterways Ireland Accessible Sailing Programme at the London Boat Show on Friday 18th January.