OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE GOOD BOATING GUIDE

Mr. Pat the Cope Gallagher, T.D., Marine Minister in the South, launched the "Good Boating Guide" developed by Waterways Ireland, on Wednesday 23rd February at the Dublin Boat Show.

The "Good Boating Guide" contains guidelines on operating craft on Waterways Ireland's Navigations, and encourages responsible use of the waterways for the benefit of all waterway users. The guide also includes details on the bye-laws which are the navigational rules which are enforced by Waterways Ireland through its Inspectorate of Navigation and staff. Six of the navigations under the remit of Waterways Ireland have bye-laws, while the Lower Bann has a voluntary code.

The Minister praised Waterways Ireland on producing such a clear and concise guide which he said "had a strong educational and safety theme throughout".

The waterways under the remit of Waterways Ireland are the Lower Bann Navigation, the Erne System, the Shannon-Erne Waterway, the Shannon Navigation, the Barrow Navigation, the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal.

Copies of the "Good Boating Guide" may be obtained free of charge from the Waterways Ireland Marketing and Communications Division at +44 28 66346 219 (Enniskillen) or +353 71 9650787 (Carrick on Shannon).

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.

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Date: 28.02.2005
PR050008

At the Launch of the Waterways Ireland Good Boating Guide, from left, John Martin, Chief Executive, Waterways Ireland; Pat the Cope Gallagher, T.D., Marine Minister in the South; Martin Dennany, Director of Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland.

Location: Dublin Boat Show, RDS, Dublin.