I wish to advise the Deputy that, further to my previous answer on this subject, Parlimentary Question No. 211 of 22 January 1997 refers, the Waterways Service of my Department installed safety chains in all the lock chambers in the area. Some of these chains were recently vandalished, but they have now all been restored.
The Waterways Service has also recently obtained copies of Coroner reports on a number of the fatalities that occurred in the canal last year and has sought a meeting with Dublin Corporation, the Garda Síochána and the National Safety Council to explore further the particular factors contributing to these tragedies in this stretch of canal.
In relation to the operation of the locks and lock chambers, the Waterways Service generally avoids keeping the chambers full, particularly in summer, in order to discourage swimming in the lock chambers. I note the Deputy's suggestion that by filling the lock chambers with water, a reduction in the risk of accidents might be achieved. However, I understand that most of the drownings have occurred in the main canal channel.
It has also been suggested that the Waterways Service should erect security fencing around particular stretches of the canal. However, regardless of the aesthetics etc. of this proposal, experience from abroad has shown that such barriers may be breached and in these circumstances efforts to rescue persons in trouble might prove to be more difficult to achieve.
I know that the Deputy appreciates that there is no easy resolution of this tragic problem. However, I wish to assure her that the Waterways Service will continue to seek ways to constructively address the matter.
