Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 May 1964

Vol. 209 No. 7

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grand Canal.

22.

Mr. O'Keeffe

asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether his attention has been drawn to a reported statement made by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Lands to the effect that the Grand Canal would not be closed because under existing legislation, as long as the canal was being used, CIE were obliged to maintain it, and that the Dublin Corporation tried to pull a fast one but that they would not get away with it; whether in fact a decision has been arrived at; and, if so, why it was not communicated to the Members of the House.

23.

Mr. Ryan

asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether the statement of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Lands in Carrick-on-Shannon that the Grand Canal will not be closed because under existing legislation, as long as the canal is being used, Coras Iompair Eireann are obliged to maintain it, represents a final Government decision against the proposal to close the canal.

Minister for Transport and Power (Mr. Childers)

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 23 together.

As I have already indicated in my reply to previous questions, I do not expect that it will be possible to determine the long term future of the Grand Canal for some time but in the meantime the statutory requirement that CIE maintain it in a fit condition for navigation will remain in force.