Vol. 468 No. 4
288 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he intends to bring forward legislation to allow for the development, management and maintenance of the Boyne Canal; if so, the stage of preparation of such legislation; and when it will be published. [15437/96]
A draft scheme of the Bill for the establishment of an inland waterways navigation authority has approved by Government and will shortly be referred to the parliamentary draftman for the preparation of the draft Bill. Under this draft, there is a provision that the Minister can designate additional areas of land or water for the purposes of the Act. This will provide for the designation by the responsible Minister of additional waterways, which could include the Boyne navigation, for restoration and development. I am not at present in a position to say when this Bill will be for publication.
