Kildare representative questions government's new swimming strategy

A Kildare county councillor aligned with the Labour Party has questioned the government's newly-announced swimming strategy.

Cllr Angela Feeney has said that news that the government is introducing a new swimming strategy to capitalise on Ireland's Olympic success 'is of scant comfort to those waiting for a swimming pool in North Kildare'.

She explained: "To help future generations emulate the success of Daniel Wiffen and Mona McSharry, a working group has been established to give 'everyone in Ireland the opportunity to swim.' 

"The proposed commitment includes additional funding to help schools with transport and pool hire costs."

However, Cllr Feeney, who represents the Clane-Maynooth Municipal District, added that she has greeted the news with scepticism.

She further said: "One of the defining factors of Olympic winners is access to sports facilities from an early age... in swimming terms, that means 50-metre pools.

"This report is extremely vague on the details and pushes the idea of short-term, pop-up facilities.

"If they are serious about this, we will need multiple child-friendly, free or affordable swimming facilities around North Kildare."

Labour Party Cllr Angela Feeney. File photograph.

Her party colleague, Celbridge Cllr Rupert Heather, also expressed concern about the government's report. 

Cllr Heather said:  "Even though any Olympic journey begins at a local swimming pool, anecdotally I've heard of serious swimmers in North Kildare having to go to the National Aquatic Centre or to Meath to train."

In addition, Cllr Feeney said that she has been highlighting the need for a pool for many years now: "Back in February, when Maynooth University President attended our council meeting, I suggested upgrading the college pool and reopening it for community use while we await a new build.

"This suggestion was received positively by both Maynooth University and Kildare County Council.  

"However, work is still to begin refurbishing the Maynooth University pool, while the new swimming pool earmarked for North Kildare is still years away.

"This is just more hot air; the government needs to act."

She concluded: "We need a serious commitment to funding a proper swimming pool for North Kildare."

Cllr Feeney also made headlines yesterday when she called on the government to hold a referendum relating to the ownership of public water services.