MEP and colleagues ‘sail’ into Ballina/Killaloe
Simon Coveney MEP, Senator Noel Coonan, Cllr Phyll Bugler, Cllr Pauline Coonan and Cllr Tom Berkery paid a visit on Thursday 15th March to Ballina/Killaloe to hear first hand the anxieties regarding the impending re-development of Derg Marina from members of the Ballina Marina Action Group (BMAG). Customers shopping at the Derg Marina Chandlery that afternoon were delighted to have the opportunity to talk with Simon, a fellow sailor and his colleagues. They expressed the need for the enhancement of the marina facilities at Derg Marina not the reduction.
The politicians were given a presentation by Dan Minchin of BMAG which detailed the action group’s concerns for the future of what was Ireland’s premier boating facility. They heard how in recent times the Marina has been affected by changes in ownership that have resulted in the loss of the onsite crane and other essential pieces of equipment necessary for boating repairs. A representative of the Irish Coast Guard has already referred to a number of serious boating incidents in 2006 and expressed his worries as to the lack of lift out facilities for the forthcoming season’s boating emergencies. The politicians were advised that the boat owners are now fearful for the future of their berths at Derg Marina and that the community are extremely concerned about the impact a major inappropriate development in this picturesque tourist location would have. They heard that boating tourists are being refused overnight berths in the Marina despite their offers of payment. The fact that the area has been zoned “integrated tourism” by North Tipperary County Council and that the developers referred to their € 60m Water Park as an “exciting integrated tourism project” in a letter sent to all North Tipperary County Councillors on 12 January 2007, makes the refusal of overnight stays even more puzzling. Many other issues were discussed from the impact on the environment through to the lack of local infrastructure.
Simon Coveney is an experienced sailor. In 1997/8 he led the “Sail Chernobyl Project” which involved sailing a boat 30,000 miles around the world, a feat which raised € 650,000 for charity, so he is fully versed in all things nautical and understands what boating tourism means to towns like Ballina/Killaloe and the Irish waterways. He praised BMAG for undertaking their campaign in a professional and reasonable manner and noted that whilst they are not adverse to development they feel a public consultation process is required to ensure an outcome which would be of benefit all parties. His visit, support and unease as to the potential loss of this valuable amenity were very much welcomed by his audience.