asked the Minister for Finance if the hydrological survey of the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell canal has been completed; and when he proposes to have restoration work commenced.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Leitrim-Cavan Canal.
13.
A comprehensive study of the Ballinamore-Ballyconnell canal, which includes hydrological considerations, is at an advanced stage and it is expected that a full report, which will enable a decision to be made on the question of restoring the canal, will be ready by mid-1986.
At a time when there is so much talk about canals, does the Minister agree that the benefit of a linkage between the Shannon and Erne systems, from the point of view of tourism, would be beneficial? Does he also agree that it would be one of the finest waterways in Europe and that it is important to proceed with restoration as quickly as possible?
I agree and this restoration work has been going on since 1971 but progress was very slow until last year. Additional staff were assigned to the work in early 1984 by the Office of Public Works in consultation with myself and in response to points made by the Deputy. Since then the work has accelerated. The studies will encompass also drainage aspects as well as the restoration of the canal. We hope that the work will be finalised in mid 1986. One might say that the progress was nil up to early last year.
Is the Minister aware that, following a deputation who met here with senior engineering staff of the Office of Public Works on 19 December 1980, a decision was made to conduct the study? Would the Minister agree also that the decision to suspend arterial drainage and to disregard the Erne will have serious effects and will result in a failure to get the best value from the scheme?
I will not deny that a decision to conduct a survey may have been made in 1980 but, as I have said, there was hardly any progress on the work until the Office of Public Works and myself early last year appointed additional personnel to the scheme. I stand over those facts.
Is the Minister distinguishing between the problem of drainage and the problem of equipping the waterway as a navigable link between the Erne and the Shannon? Since there is a Canals Bill before the House, would the Minister consider taking over this canal scheme totally just as the Royal and the Grand Canals have been taken over?
There are two aspects in this regard. There is the drainage aspect and the navigation aspect. The canal has not been open since 1870 so we should not become too panicky about it. However, I believe it should be opened and I indicated that early last year by putting additional people to work on the project. I am sure that this canal, like the Royal and Grand Canals, could be taken over also but not within the terms of the current Bill.
It could prove to be one of the best amenities from Donegal to Limerick.