asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if the Government are now in a position to state with certainty to whom ownership and control of the Royal and Grand Canals is to be entrusted for the future.
6.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Royal and Grand Canals.
5.
asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if he has considered the report on the Royal Canal; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
Ownership of the Royal and Grand Canals is vested in CIE under transport legislation. The future ownership and use of the canals has been under consideration for some time now and has involved detailed and lengthy consultation with a number of other Departments. This process is now complete and I expect to have the matter considered by the Government very soon.
I cannot, of course, anticipate what the outcome of the Government's consideration will be.
Having regard to the fact that a similar type of reply was given to a similar type of question on 13 April, can the Minister indicate now when a decision on the future of these canals, especially the Royal Canal which is in very poor condition, is likely to be taken?
I should hope to have the matter before the Government within the next couple of weeks.
May we take it, then, that the Minister will be in a position to make an announcement within a month or two on the future of the Royal Canal?
I cannot anticipate what will be the outcome of the Government's consideration but I think I have given the Deputy a reasonable reply.
Would the Minister be prepared to take a personal interest in the matter in order to ensure that there is not a lengthy delay? Is he aware that the Royal Canal is deteriorating rapidly, especially in an area at Kilcock which is very dangerous particularly at the moment? This canal could be used, as could most of the others, and I would like an assurance from the Minister that the matter will be acted on as quickly as possible.
I can give the Deputy that assurance, but he will appreciate that the matter has dragged on for a long time.
Since 1976.