Vol. 436 No. 1
91 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Finance the plans, if any, the Office of Public Works has to restore the Royal Canal; the plans, if any, it has for the stretch of canal from Thomastown, Killucan to Abbeyshrule Bridge, Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Office of Public Works have been engaged in the restoration of the Royal Canal for several years. To date fifty miles of the canal, from Dublin city to Mullingar, has been restored to a navigable condition, with locks restored, spoil dredged and pedestrian access restored along the towpath.
This work is proceeding as rapidly as the financial resources available to the Office allow. At present, restoration of boat access to Dublin Bay is nearing completion. Additionally, dredging works have been underway in County Longford for some time but have been temporarily interrupted by the necessity to divert resources to the repair of a breach in the canal embankment near Longwood.
The canal from Coolnahay, County Westmeath to the 40th lock near Ballymahon has been dredged and rewatered. As resources permit, lockgates will be fitted, environmental works undertaken and obstacles to navigation removed. Assistance from the EC Structural Funds is being sought for this work.
