Vol. 513 No. 3
85 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has to develop the canal system under her responsibility; the moneys allocated in 2000; the work to be undertaken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2365/00]
Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 a provision of approximately £20 million will be provided for capital expenditure on the canal system, the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and Barrow navi gation. The works will include the completion of the Royal Canal from Abbeyshrule to the Shannon at a cost of approximately £10 million-£12 million. Other canal projects are being designed and costed and a final decision on the allocation of the remaining funds will be made in the near future.
The money is being provided to continue the restoration, improvement and development of the canals and Barrow navigation to attract new visitors and provide a catalyst for regeneration in less developed areas. This is a very substantial investment in the waterways and will lead to a much enhanced product that will enable us to consolidate and expand the tourism market for waterways associated holidays and activities and help spread the tourism benefits to the many small rural communities along the waterways corridors.
As the Deputy is aware, Waterways Ireland, a North-South Implementation Body for inland waterways, has been established under the British-Irish Agreement. Waterways Ireland has the functions of management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterways system throughout this island, principally for recreational purposes. Waterways Ireland took charge of the Shannon-Erne Waterway on 2 December last and, on 1 April next, will take over the rest of the south's waterways for which Dúchas now has responsibility, namely the Shannon navigation, the Royal and Grand Canals and the Barrow navigation. Waterways Ireland is responsible to the North-South Ministerial Council. I have already met with my Northern counterpart, Mr Michael McGimpsey, MLA, and I will be having further discussions with him through the North-South Ministerial Council regarding inland waterways and the programmes and actions to be pursued by Waterways Ireland.
The money being provided in 2000 in relation to the development of the canal system is £2.5 million.
The works to be undertaken include: design of bridges to replace existing culverts blocking navigation; reconstruction of bog embankments; design of additional water supplies; dredging and reconstruction of the canal channel and banks; installation of landings, jetties, moorings slipways and associated landscaping plus repairs to existing operational structures; and completion of barge restoration programme.
