asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether, with a view to preserving the amenities of the Grand Canal, he will make representations to CIE to have the canal cleaned periodically and the weeds which hinder navigation removed therefrom.
57.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maintenance of Grand Canal
56.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether he is aware of any proposals by CIE to dispose of portion of the Grand Canal to Dublin Corporation for conversion to a sewer; and, if so, what proposals.
58.
andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether his attention has been drawn to a proposal to fill in the Grand Canal through Dublin; if he has received any proposals in the matter; and what action he proposes to take on any such proposal.
59.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will say, with reference to the published statement that the possibility of laying a sewer along the bed of the Grand Canal from Inchicore to Ringsend is under consideration, if legislative sanction is required to implement such a proposal (a) if the canal is maintained as a shallower waterway with the sewer on the bed thereof, and (b) if the canal is to be filled in.
60.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, having regard to the growing importance of the River Shannon and other waterways to the economy of the country and to the tourist trade in particular, he will now indicate to Dublin Corporation that any proposal to close and fill the Grand Canal in Dublin would not meet with the approval of his Department.
61.
Mr. Ryan
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, having regard to the fact that the passage of a number of boats through the Grand Canal was obstructed this year by reason of the failure of CIE to keep the canal open and free of weeds in accordance with the provisions of the Transport Act, 1958, he has considered the matter; and if he will make a statement.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 57, 58, 59, 60 and 61 together.
I have seen reports of proposals for the filling in of the Grand Canal and its use for a sewer but no such proposals have been made to me.
As the law stands the Grand Canal, including the city sections, must be kept open unless or until there has been no public navigation thereon for at least three years.
CIE use two mechanically operated weeding boats on the canal but because of the almost complete absence of navigation the growth of weeds has increased. CIE are examining the question of additional equipment.
The question of the future of the Grand Canal is under consideration in consultation with Bord Fáilte and other interests but no final conclusions have yet been reached. In any case legislation would be necessary to alter the status quo.
Will the Minister look sympathetically on any such proposal?
I have not even been asked to consider legislation in that regard. I have not even begun to frame legislation.
In view of the public uneasiness and general disquiet over this matter, will the Minister now put an end to all rumours by saying that if such a proposal is made, he will refuse to entertain it for five minutes?
The whole question is under examination and is being related to further legislation.
Does the Minister not consider it a scandal that the Grand Canal should be allowed to become overgrown by weeds, as it does each year, thereby imperilling the lives of many young and venturesome children who go bathing there, as well as constituting a rather frustrating hazard for those who want to go boating on the Shannon? Will the Minister put it to CIE that the canal is a waterway which every other country in the world would maintain in a better condition than CIE, and will he have it made an amenity which half a million people can enjoy every day?
All of this is argument.
(Interruptions)
The Tánaiste is not Minister for canals yet.
If he were, we might drown him in it.
If the doctors get him near a canal, we know what they will do.
Have Dublin Corporation been approached as one of the interested parties?
I have had no representations from Dublin Corporation with regard to the matter.
Have they been approached?
I am not responsible for approaching Dublin Corporation.