DEBURCA CALLS FOR SWIMMING POOL FOR NORTH WICKLOW

"The so-called Bertie Bowl is not about playing sport, it is about watching other people playing sport", said councillor de Burca. "This kind of over-sized, centralised project drains resources from local areas around the country", she said.

"North Wicklow needs a swimming pool as a matter of urgency". "Health comes from a positive, active lifestyle", said councillor de Burca, who is also the Green Party joint-spokesperson for health. "Expenditures on projects that promote health are an investment in the future health of our young people and of our communities", she said. "Encouraging swimming and other community sports projects should be a priority for any government that is genuinely interested in an effective long term strategy for a healthy society".

Since the Bray swimming pool closed in June 2,000 there has been no swimming pool available to the over 60,000 people living in the North Wicklow area. Over 1,000 school children from Greystones alone used the Bray swimming pool before it closed and now the young people of the area have no place to learn to swim. The nearest swimming pools in south Dublin and in Wicklow town are unable to cope with the massive demand from North Wicklow.

"It is not enough to say that county Wicklow has already been given two swimming pools", said councillor de Burca, refering the the swimming pools that have been built in Arklow and Wicklow town in recent years. "Swimming is an activity that encourages and promotes good health and a positive lifestyle. Every large town in Ireland should have a swimming pool".

For further information please contact Deirdre de Burca on 086 8061450 or email deburca@wicklowgreens.org.