I propose taking Questions Nos. 28 and 71 together.
In 1986 the owners of a waterbus placed the vessel on Lough Leane in Killarney National Park without the permission of the Commissioners of Public Works. The Commissioners, because of their concern to effect overall control of boating on the Lakes of Killarney and of the potential adverse environmental effect of the waterbus, sought and got an interlocutory injunction from the High Court in Dublin restraining the owners from operating the waterbus on the lakes.
Expert advice submitted in March 1987 to the commissioners indicated that the impact of the waterbus on the natural resources there may not be detrimental and that the granting of a licence for a trial-period to monitor the impact, if any, was warranted. In May 1987 the owners of the waterbus accepted the commissioners' exclusive right to control all boating activities and their absolute ownership of Lough Leane.
In the circumstances a temporary licence was granted for a period ending on 30 April 1988 to the owners of the waterbus so that the effect of its operation on Lough Leane could be monitored.
I have received no intimation of strong opposition from Killarney UDC but I am aware that there has been local opposition to the granting of the licence. At the end of the current tourist season the position will be reviewed and, if it is decided to allow a waterbus on Lough Leane in 1988, a licence will be granted on a concession basis in accordance with normal public tendering procedure.
