asked the Minister for Transport when the propose legislation to transfer the Royal and Grand Canal systems from CIE to the Office of Public Works will be introduced; and if, in the interim, he will arrange for a de facto control of the canals by the Office of Public Works to ensure that every possible use will be made of their amenities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Canals Control.
5.
My Department are at present preparing draft legislative proposals to give effect to the Government's decision to transfer responsibility for the Royal and Grand Canal systems from CIE to the Office of Public Works. Technical legislation in relation to railways and canals is traditionally complex and in the present case there are a variety of matters requiring considerable care, including transfers of staff, transfer and delineation of properties, clarification of the position relating to responsibilities over ground common to the railway and canal, considerations affecting water supplies, water rights and so on. Every effort is being made to expedite work but I am not yet in a position to say when the legislation is likely to be introduced.
Consideration has been given to the possibility of transferring de facto control of the canals to the Office of Public Works in advance of the proposed legislation. However, there would be considerable legal and financial difficulties in such an arrangement and it is the intention, therefore, that CIE will continue to maintain the canals pending the enactment of the necessary legislation. However, arrangements have been made for consultation between CIE and the Office of Public Works in relation to matters affecting the future of the canals, including such matters as work on the canals by voluntary bodies, amenity groups etc.
Surely the Minister of State who has already told us of his desire to ensure the highest possible standard of operation in his office can give us some indication in regard to when this legislation is to be introduced, above and beyond the reply he has given, which is identical to the reply given by his predecessor last November? In relation to the Minister's insistence that CIE will continue to maintain the canals, particularly the Royal Canal which is in danger of becoming an open sewer, is the Minister aware that CIE in a letter to the local authority——
The Deputy is now imparting information.
I am asking if the Minister is aware that CIE sent a letter to the local authority last year clearly stating that they were unable to cope and were not interested in coping because of their inability in terms of finance, with their responsibility for maintaining the Royal Canal. What will the Minister do about that?
Considerable progress has been made as far as the mapping is concerned. There are tremendous legal and administrative difficulties which the Deputy is aware of. When one considers that in 1978 the maintenance on these systems cost about £600,000 I cannot understand the implication of the second part of the Deputy's question.
Does the Minister accept the responsibility for maintaining the canals rests with CIE at the moment?
Of course.
Does the Minister accept that CIE have spelt out in writing that they are unable to deal with that responsibility and in that case will the Minister do something about it?
As far as I am concerned adequate finance has been made available for the maintenance of the systems. The Government have taken a decision in principle to transfer the authority for the maintenance and development of the canal system to the OPW. That is at an advanced stage but there are legal and administrative difficulties which prevent the OPW from moving in at this stage. All voluntary organisations and others interested in developing these canals are given a good hearing and are encouraged to come forward with their proposals.
Would the Minister take issue with the chairman of CIE when he said that they were unable to cope with the canal?
We cannot make statements at Question Time.
We are trying to ask questions.
I know, but we are making statements. Question No. 6.