Gerry Reynolds
Question:123 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline the programme of works which is planned for the opening up of Lough Allen to the Shannon.
Written Answers. - County Leitrim Lake.
The works in question involve the restoration of the Lough Allen Canal which links the River Shannon from Battlebridge, near Leitrim village, northwards through Acres Lake and Drumshanbo to Lough Allen itself, bypassing an unnavigable stretch of the main river.
The first phase of the project consisted of the dredging and removal of silt and debris from the canal bed between Battlebridge and Acres Lake, repairs to embankments and locks, fabrication and fitting out of new lock gates, regrading of back drains and the installation of pumping equipment. This section of the canal was reopened to navigation in 1987 and has been operational ever since.
The second phase consists of the clearing to profile the remainder of the canal between Acres Lake and Lough Allen, the construction of a new lock at Drumshanbo and the dredging of sections of the bed of Lough Allen to provide adequate navigation depths. In this connection the canal clearing works are virtually complete while the construction of the lock is progressing satisfactorily and should be completed next year when the lake dredging operation will be put in hands. All going well it is hoped to have the entire project complete and the navigation re-opened by the 1994 boating season.