Public bookings for berths in Dun Laoghaire marina are outstripping those received from the harbour's waterfront clubs which, say marina operators, underlines the potential for further growth in sailing and boating outside traditional yacht club structures.

According to the marina operators nearly 200 berths have been booked so far in what will be the country's biggest marina. With 80 per cent booked directly by members of the public, only 20 per cent of applications have been received from the clubs.

There is possibly more than one reason for the slow take-up of berths by the biggest users of the harbour but it is primarily a question of price according to Martin Crotty, chairman of the Dun Laoghaire combined clubs (DLCC).

DLCC maintain that the marina berth price of £245 per metre for all boats is over priced but sales levels to date for the first 370-berth phase of the marina indicate that price is not an issue.

The cost of an annual berth for a typical 10-metre boat works out at £2,450, comparative to yacht club membership charges and annual mooring fees.

Crotty, who represents the interests of nearly 5,000 sailors around the bay, says there should be a sliding scale of rates dependent on boat size, rather than a flat per-metre rate.

Elsewhere, although it would be appropriate to celebrate the fact that Ireland's Olympic team members are all now proudly in the top 10 of the world rankings, that is not the reason for tomorrow's reunion at Howth.

Instead of toasting the success of what is a unique achievement for Irish sailing, the team meets to focus on the reasons behind its under-performance at the Sydney Olympics.

Team members David Burrows, Maria Coleman, Mark Mansfield and your correspondent have been asked to recommend improvements for the future. One of the major issues that will surface tomorrow morning is coach accreditation at the regatta venue.