The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, has appealed to the public to be careful when visiting beaches and participating in water sports this weekend.
He said the approach of the peak holiday season brought an increased participation in water-based leisure pursuits. "While the amenities around our coastline should be enjoyed by all, I would urge people to exercise the utmost caution and to always play safe."
The director of the Irish Coast Guard, Capt Liam Kirwan, said that while beaches, cliffs, lakes, rivers and the sea were a major attraction and should be fully enjoyed, they contained inherent dangers.
"Lives have been lost and serious injuries have occurred, which could have been avoided with common sense and care. In the space of one minute, a carefree family or friends' outing can be turned into a tragedy, the consequences of which can last a lifetime."
The coastguard has advised holidaymakers to observe "no swimming" signs and to swim where there are lifeguards. People should not swim alone, after taking alcohol, when on medication, immediately after eating or when darkness is approaching. It is not advised to dive from cliff faces and rocks.
Those sailing, canoeing, wind-surfing, power-boating, surfing, boat-or shore-angling, should know their own and their craft's limitations and not exceed them.