asked the Minister for Finance the plans the Office of Public Works have for developing the Grand and Royal Canals in the Dublin region.
43.
Written Answers. - Development of Inland Waterways.
26.
asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, he has to improve the tourist potential of our inland waterways.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 43 together. As the House is aware, when the Commissioners of Public Works were given responsibility for the Grand and Royal Canals, they commissioned a firm of planning consultants to carry out a study to assist them in the discharge of their statutory duty to manage and maintain the canals as a public amenity. That study has been completed and the consultants' report has been received and is now being examined by myself and the commissioners. I expect to be in a position to publish the report very shortly.
The consultants have recommended a management strategy and put forward specific proposals as to how each section of the canals, including those in the Dublin region, might be developed. When the commissioners have completed their examination of these proposals, they will be compiling their plans for works to be carried out, not only from their own resources but also, it is hoped, with the co-operation of the various local authorities and voluntary groups who have already made a valuable contribution towards the realisation of the potential of the canals from the amenity and tourism point of view.
Apart from the canals, the Commissioners of Public Works also have responsibility for the Shannon Navigation which is already a well-known tourist amenity and which they will continue to maintain and improve within the limits of the resources available to them.