Vol. 521 No. 6
111 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will conduct a public information campaign in relation to safety in water sports and leisure activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17865/00]
Last November, I established the Irish Water Safety Association to carry out a range of functions in relation to water safety, including the promotion of public awareness of water safety, and the promotion of measures, including advancement of education, related to the prevention of accidents in water.
The association is discharging these functions by making available, through the media and otherwise, information on water safety. This information is directed both at the general public and at specific target groups such as parents, teachers and children.
While the Irish Water Safety Association is concerned mainly with swimming and related issues, I am aware that my colleague, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, recently launched a major safety campaign entitled Year 2000 – Safety on the Water to promote safety in the overall water based leisure sector.
