Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 1

Written Answers. - Grand Canal Restoration.

Tony Gregory

Question:

149 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Finance the amount the Office of Public Works has spent on the restoration of the Grand Canal in Dublin; their policy regarding the location of large scale piggeries close to the canal; if it is the practice to oppose such applications for planning permission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Dempsey)

It is not possible to abstract figures for expenditure on canals on an area by area basis. However, the estimated expenditure for the current year on the section of the Grand Canal between Dublin and Lowtown, County Kildare, which include the Dublin City section and developments in Ringsend Basin, will be approxiamtely £500,000.

The Canals Act, 1986, transferred the Grand and Royal Canals to the Commissioners of Public Works with the duty to undertake their care, management and maintenance as a public amenity. The impact of canalside development on the system itself is an important consideration in the maintenance and development of the canals as a public amenity and the Commissioners of Public Works carefully monitor planning applications for such developments.

They would as a matter of course oppose any development which would diminish the amenity value of the canals. The Commissioners policy in relation to the location of large scale piggeries or any other development close to the canal system is to examine each planning application on its merits and to oppose it where necessary.