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Displaying items by tag: Dutch Ambassador

Rosslare Europort is where the Dutch Ambassador Adriaan Palm visited on Friday to see for himself plans that are being put in place for offshore wind energy as well as gauging the Wexford ferryport's viability in terms of handling imports and exports post-Brexit.

Particularly of interest to Ambassador Palm, writes Wexford People, is the work being undertaken by Dutch company Xellz, who have invested a significant amount of money in Rosslare in recent times in a bid to create an 'offshore wind energy hub' there.

'Basically I'm visiting today because I want to see with my own eyes what the prospects are for developing offshore wind energy here in Ireland,' he said. 'Obviously there's a big focus now on sustainability and there are new climate targets to be reached. We have to do more on these issues. I know there are very exciting plans for Rosslare and I came here because I wanted to hear them for myself. We want to co-operate and learn from each other on the topic of climate change and sustainable energy.'

The visit follows that of the Irish minister of State, Hildegarde Naughton with responsibility for international and road travel and logistics.

Published in Rosslare Europort

Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.