asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether a final decision has been reached in regard to the Grand Canal; and if he will state its nature.
59.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grand Canal.
58.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power what further developments have taken place in regard to the filling in of the Grand Canal through Dublin since replies of 27th November and 5th December last; and whether any decisions have been arrived at.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 59 together. No decision has yet been taken in regard to the future of the Grand Canal or the filling in of the city section of the canal.
Arising out of the Minister's reply on Question No. 59, may I remind him that in November he made a statement here to the effect that the matter was under consideration at that time and that the Government hoped to have some decision made in the near future? Would he say when the decision will be made?
It is quite impossible to say at this juncture when a decision will be made because, as the Deputy knows, the Dublin Corporation is in communication with the Minister for Local Government in regard to their aspect of the question and that matter has to be decided before any general decision can be made.
60.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power what communications he has had from CIE or Dublin Corporation regarding responsibility for cleaning the Grand Canal.
I have received no communication from Dublin Corporation in regard to the cleaning of the Grand Canal and CIE have informed me that they have received no complaints from Dublin Corporation in the matter.
CIE's statutory responsibility is confined to keeping the canal in a fit condition for navigation. At my instance they have been keeping the city section of the canal weeded to its full width and they also endeavour to remove the rubbish dumped at some points along the canal by private individuals.
What comment has the Minister to make on the fact that he stated here in December that the Corporation and CIE were in consultation on this question of cleaning up the canal and that at that stage he was not in a position to state what the result of that consultation was as to responsibility? Has he any further information on the result of the consultation to which he referred?
What I said was that I would consider asking CIE and the Dublin Corporation to confer on this question of the cleaning of the canal. That was not necessary because CIE are now removing the weeds right to the edge of the canal in the city area and Dublin Corporation have responsibility for the banks of the canal from Blackhorse Bridge, Inchicore, to Charlemont Bridge, and on other parts of the banks CIE have removed some unsightly dumps and rubbish. I think CIE's responsibility in this matter has been reasonably fulfilled.
Have the Corporation any responsibility?
The Corporation have responsibility only for the banks from Blackhorse Bridge, Inchicore, to Charlemont Street.
Have they taken any steps recently in connection with their responsibility?
I have not had any complaints.