Vol. 397 No. 1
46 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance if the development of the canals as inland waterways and for amenity purposes falls within his jurisdiction; if so, if he will outline his programme of work under this heading for 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Canals Act, 1986, transferred the Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow navigation from CIE to the Office of Public Works to ensure their development as a public amenity.
This year, in addition to ongoing maintenance works of which there is a serious backlog, the following major projects will also be undertaken: major repairs to the embanked sections of the Grand Canal in County Offaly, virtually completed; reconstruction of the Blackwater aqueduct on the Royal Canal; work on the restoration of the access to the Liffey from the Royal Canal; further restoration works on the Royal Canal, e.g. dredging, lock gate installation and towpath improvements; continued up-grading of towpaths and canal surroundings particularly in urban areas and major ongoing programmes for the monitoring and controlling of water quality and the stocking of both canals with fish.
The Office of Public Works will also be actively involved over the coming year, together with other interested parties, in developing and implementing proposals for the regeneration of the Ringsend Basin area.
