Irish Water Safety Awards Certificate of Merit To Clare County Council

The ceremony coincided with the launch of Irish Water Safety’s 2007 Annual Report in the Custom House, Dublin.

According to Minister of State Killeen, ‘Clare County Council, like all Local Authorities, plays an important role in promoting water safety. The Council continues to play a vital role in drowning prevention by, for example, providing lifesaving appliances, water safety signage and well equipped lifeguard services’.

Minister Killeen complimented Clare County Council for continuing to provide and manage a comprehensive lifeguard service.

He explained, ‘During the summer, the lifeguards employed on Clare’s beaches gave us the reassurance of swimming in guarded stretches of water. They should take much of the credit for the Certification of Merit that has been awarded to Clare County Council today. I also wish to pay tribute to the excellent work of Clare Water Safety Officer, Liam Griffin.’

‘The number of drownings nationally in 2007 was 156. This is despite the best efforts of local authorities in preventing such tragedies. Sadly, this figure is up on the previous year’s number of 131. It is clear that any effort to reduce the numbers of drownings can never be relaxed. Any life lost through drowning is still one too many and I encourage Irish Water Safety and Clare County Council to continue their valuable work in drowning prevention and rescue throughout the county in the coming year’, concluded Minister Killeen.

The Certificate of Merit was presented to Clare County Council by Mr. Mícheál Kitt, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Minister Kitt also presented a Certificate of Merit to Roscommon County Council in recognition of the progress made in improving water safety facilities in its functional area. Limavaddy Borough Council was presented with Irish Water Safety’s "Charles Thomson" Award, for its excellent contribution to water safety over the past 12 months.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-868534900