asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the right of access to the foreshore on a three hundred yard stretch of the Shannon at Athlone has been cut off; whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed by the Athlone Inland Waterways Association in the matter; and whether in view of the damage which this action will cause to the tourist attractions of the area, in particular for anglers, he will state what action he has taken.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Access to Shannon Foreshore.
15.
I have no information concerning this matter apart from what has been reported in the press and I have not received a copy of the resolution to which the Deputy refers. In so far as there may be need for action to prevent damage to tourist attractions, the matter would be one for consideration by Bord Fáilte Éireann in the first instance.
In view of the fact that Bord Fáilte received representations in this matter and that those representations must surely have been made available to the Minister, would he agree to my request, namely, that his colleague, the Minister for Transport and Power, Deputy Childers, the next time he is in Athlone, should use the Party Whip on the gentleman who has flouted public opinion in this matter?
I am afraid I cannot promise any more. The Minister will certainly give sympathetic consideration to any report made to him by Bord Fáilte.
Deputy Childers is in a position to do something about it personally.