Liam Lawlor
Question:119 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a progress report on the upgrading of the Grand Canal Corridor; and the programme of works scheduled for 1997. [4963/97]
Written Answers. - Upgrading of Canals.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the area covered by the Grand Canal Corridor study which extends from Grand Canal Docks to Lucan Road Bridge. Since the launch of the Grand Canal Corridor study in July 1994, a task force has been established under the chairmanship of Senator Pat Magner to oversee the implementation of improvements along the canal system. A regeneration officer has been appointed to liaise with local community groups. This has resulted in a number of community employment schemes being established in the Clondalkin and Ballyfermot areas.
One of the sea locks in the Outer Basin in Ringsend has been automated and hard landscaping work has been completed at Charlotte Quay. A number of derelict boats in the Outer Basin have been removed and new mooring jetties have been constructed at Mespil Road and at Portobello. The programme of works scheduled for 1997 includes the provision of two new lock gates to be installed along the circular line and four lock gates are being installed along the main line. As a safety measure chains will be installed in the lock chambers in the Dublin area. My Department has commissioned a report on the use of the Inner Basin in Ringsend with a view to examining proposals for the development of the area.
It is proposed to hold a canal festival in April 1997 to coincide with the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland annual boating rally.
A contract will shortly be placed for grass cutting and litter collection along the Grand Canal between Grand Canal Street and Newbridge, Kylemore Road. It is also proposed to undertake a tree planting programme during the current year. A new jetty will be constructed at the 9th Lock, Clondalkin, which will provide short stay moorings and canoe facilities. Further fish stocking will be carried out on the system in association with the Central Fisheries Board and local angling groups.
Liam Lawlor
Question:120 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a progress report on the upgrading of the Royal Canal Corridor; and the programme of works scheduled for 1997. [4964/97]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the Royal Canal Corridor study area which covers the stretch of the Royal Canal from Spencer Dock, Dublin, to Kilcock, County Kildare.
The Deputy may be aware that last year, following the publication of the "Royal Canal Corridor Study — Strategy and Proposals", I extended the remit of the task force for the Grand Canal under the chairmanship of Senator Pat Magner to cover the Royal Canal Corridor. I have also arranged for the regeneration officer's duties on the Grand Canal to be extended to the Royal Canal.
It should be noted that the Royal Canal, which was closed to navigation in 1961, is now navigable from Dublin, 1st Lock, to Mullingar. Since 1987, the Waterways Service has been undertaking the restoration of the system with the objective of making the canal fully navigable from Dublin to the Shannon by the end of the century. Accordingly, the necessary capital investment for this restoration work, which is being funded under the EU Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99, is being concentrated at Mullingar and to the west of that town.
Improvements works have been undertaken in recent years on the Dublin stretch of the canal with the dredging of the system, the replacement of all the lock gates, a fish stocking programme, the provision of angling stands and markers, landscaping and maintenance works, including grass cutting and litter collection. Property developers have been encouraged to take a more positive attitude towards the canal with more new developments addressing the waterway, and a new boat hire business has started operations from the 12th Lock, Castleknock. The regeneration officer has held meetings with local authority planners along the corridor to discuss canal related matters of mutual interest.
The programme of works scheduled for 1997 will include the removal of the existing culvert and the installation of a lifting bridge at Newcomen Junction, North Strand Road, which will permit access to and from the River Liffey. Agreement has been reached with the ESB to relocate the high tension cable at Spencer Bridge, Spencer Dock. Chains have been installed in a number of lock chambers in the Dublin area. It is expected to carry out further upgrading of fishing facilities along the corridor and ongoing maintenance works on canal property will continue.