Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 4

Written Answers. - Works on the Royal Canal.

Michael McDowell

Question:

108 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the works, if any, that will be carried out on the Royal Canal in the neighbourhood of Abbeyshrule, County Longford, in each of the years 1996 or 1997; if so, whether these works will encroach on any adjoining property or affect adversely the rights of land owners adjoining the canal; when it is proposed that the stretch of the canal at Abbeyshrule will be open to navigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2844/96]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

It is not planned to undertake any work on the Royal Canal in the vicinity of Abbeyshrule, County Longford in 1996. It is too early to say what work, if any, will be undertaken in the area in 1997 as this will depend on the funds available.

Any works to be undertaken in the neighbourhood of Abbeyshrule may necessitate encroachment on to privately owned land, in particular the replacement of the so-called Webbs culvert and reconstruction of the Embankments across Ballymaglavy Bog. These works, which are unlikely to proceed before 1998 have not yet been designed in detail, so it is impossible to say at this stage what encroachments, if any, will be necessary. In general any interference with privately owned lands will be temporary and the landowners will be fully consulted in advance. Removal of the culvert may necessitate acquisition of a small piece of land.

There is a considerable amount of work remaining to be done before the canal is navigable as far as Abbeyshrule. This includes in addition to the items referred to above, the removal of the culvert at Morans Bridge, Mullingar, replacement of two footbridges, installation of lock gates and completion of dredging on the summit level. It is, therefore, likely to be 1998 at the earliest before the canal is open to navigation.