Vol. 457 No. 7
142 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht when Lough Allen will be accessible to cruiser traffic; if he will make a statement regarding the Blackrock Lock; and whether or not it will be navigable at all water levels in Lough Allen. [16410/95]
Works at Blackrock Lock, Drumshanbo, have been completed and Lough Allen will be opened to cruiser traffic early next year. With careful management of water levels in the lake it will be navigable during the cruising season. The co-operation of the Electricity Supply Board, which has statutory authority to control water levels in the lake, will be particularly important in this regard. My officials are seeking an early meeting to discuss the matter. It is not considered economically justifiable or environmentally desirable to design a scheme to cater for a navigation throughout the complete range of water levels currently pertaining in Lough Allen.
