Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 4

Written Answers. - Deaths by Drowning.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

211 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will supply the promised information further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 31 October 1996, regarding the number of deaths by drowning which have occurred in the Royal Canal, Dublin, between Cross Guns Bridge and Binns Bridge for each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1230/97]

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

I deeply regret any death by drowning in our inland waterways and I again wish to state that the question of safety along our waterways is kept under constant review by the waterways service of my Department. The Garda authorities have informed the waterways service that the number of deaths by drowning which have occurred between Binns Bridge and Cross Guns Bridge during each of the last three years was as follows: 1994-2, 1995-1 and 1996-11.

I am deeply perturbed by the very high number of fatalities which occurred in 1996 and accordingly I have instructed the waterways service to meet with Dublin Corporation and the Garda Síochána in an attempt to identify the particular factors which have contributed to such an increase in fatalities on this stretch of canal.

I should also mention that following recommendations by the Task Force on the Canal Corridors, the waterways service has begun the process of installing chains in lock chambers in the city in an effort to enhance safety on the waterways.