President, Former Presidents, Executive Officers, Branch Officers, Ladies & Gentlemen. 

On behalf of Waterways Ireland, I would like to congratulate all IWAI members on reaching your  70th Anniversary. Given our role as managing, maintaining, developing, and promoting 1,100km of our wonderful inland navigable waterways, principally for recreational purposes – and your  role as a voluntary organisation that advocates on the use, maintenance, protection,  restoration, and improvement of the inland waterways, it is easy to see why we have such an important relationship. 

Since your foundation, 70 years ago, the IWAI has been an Ambassador, Advocate, and Activist for our Waterways. Afloat has described you as the “Consumer Association” of our All-Ireland Waterways. 

You are that and much, much more. Predating Waterways Ireland by 45 years, you are literally  immersed in our inland water heritage – a consistent and ever-present engine propelling  improvements on our waterways. It was through your efforts, even before our establishment,  that kept the waterways open when others questioned their usefulness. That is quite a  remarkable legacy especially for a voluntary organisation. 

Over the past 25 years since the formation of Waterways Ireland, we have worked with nine  IWAI Presidents. The IWAI has challenged, persuaded, and motivated. While we may not  always see eye to eye on everything, my colleagues and I in Waterways Ireland appreciate your  wisdom, your perspective, your constructive approach, and your record as a champion of our  waterways. 

The IWAI has worked with us to identify new locations for services and has been vigilant in  providing us with information and reports about navigational issues which have alerted us to address issues.  

We have successfully partnered on events. I think the standout one was when we partnered to  organise the World Canals Conference in 2018 in Athlone. That was a particularly proud  moment of collaboration and demonstration of our joint commitment to the vibrant life across  our waterway systems.  

The Float to the Fleadh is another wonderful example of the IWAI’s contribution to displaying  the best of our inland waterways as part of major national events.  And there are many more examples. The boundless energy of the IWAI in organising boating events, rallies, competitions, social events, information meetings, and training  courses throughout its all-Ireland branch network must be acknowledged. 

It will probably come as no surprise that Inland Waterway News is the most read  publication in Waterways Ireland. Former President, Colin Becker who edited the magazine for a significant part of the past 25 years should take a well-deserved bow, The Inland Waterway News is a bible.  

Within Waterways Ireland we continue to work to improve our Waterways.  In the past 25 years we consider the investment in reopening the Royal Canal, extending the  navigation on the River Suck to Ballinasloe, opening new destinations like Lough Key and the Boyle River, the Ulster Canal, the upgrading of 200+moorings, harbours, and marinas, 175  locks, 2000 navigation markers, 600km of towpaths among our achievements. 

In the context of our major project in re-opening the Ulster Canal, I would like to acknowledge  former President of the IWAI Brian Cassells, who wrote a significant former book on The Ulster Canal which was published in 2015. 

The job of a CEO of Waterways Ireland has many facets. A significant amount of thought and  time is focused on relationships. We are a North South Body which brings with it a role and  responsibility on an island of Ireland basis. IWAI traverses similar territory and is, for me, our  key stakeholder. In my 5 years in the role, I am fortunate to be able to work with Alan and Kay. There  is mutual trust, respect, and professionalism. Because of those values we endeavour to do our  best for our mutual interest – our waterways.  

That relationship allows me to speak to Kay, as I did with Alan, openly – to seek advice, share  concerns, deal with issues, work to improve and re-imagine our waterways.  But like you, we want more. We want to achieve a longer-term vision and plan for our  waterways. 

Last year we launched our first ever 10-year plan. It is ambitious. It challenges us. We welcome the challenge because it provides us with a  strategic plan for re-imagining our historic waterways that the IWAI have done so much to  protect over the past 70 years. It also provides a vision to provide more recreational  opportunities for our communities. 

And you, the IWAI community will continue to be central to that vision and ambition. 

Congratulations to all of you on the longevity of the IWAI. Congratulations on your enormous contribution to our waterways. 

I want to express my gratitude to the Association and your volunteer members for being who and what you are. 

Thank you for treasuring our waterways over the past 70 years, and wishing you the best for the next 70 years.