Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 2

Written Answers. - Waterways Ireland.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

348 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if Dúchas is continuing its legal proceedings against an illegal development (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18011/00]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

The position in this case is that Dúchas waterways referred the matter last year to the Chief State Solicitor's office for advice and appropriate action. However, the developer subsequently submitted for planning permission a proposal for a housing development on the site. Dúchas waterways section objected to the proposed development. A meeting was held with the developer's architect and agreement was reached on the items to be resolved. This included his agreement to contact the neighbour's solicitor to address her concerns.

However, as the Deputy may be aware, Dúchas waterways section, is no longer within the direct remit of my Department as it now comes under the aegis of Waterways Ireland, a North-South Implementation Body for inland waterways, which was established on 2 December, 1999 on foot of the British-Irish Agreement. Accordingly, I have to advise the Deputy that the matter raised by him is one for consideration by Waterways Ireland who have advised me that the legal issues to which he refers have not yet been resolved.