Vol. 482 No. 8
219 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will have arrangements made for the waterways service to carry out a thorough clean-up of the Royal Canal between Binns Bridge and Cross Guns Bridge, Dublin 7 in view of the fact that it is currently in a disgraceful condition. [19366/97]
The Deputy will be aware that a local community group "Canal Watch" was recently formed to improve the stretch of the Royal Canal from Shandon Mills to Binns Bridge. On 4 October 1997 this group organised a highly successful clean-up of the canal in their area with the assistance of the waterways service. Normal maintenance works were also carried out by staff of the waterways service in the same area during October, this included the removal of substantial rubbish from canal property, the cutting of grass and overhanging bushes and the upgrading of fencing and towpath barriers. The Deputy will appreciate that regular dumping of refuse and canal property is a major problem for the waterways service. However, I am sure she will agree that community interest and participation in the enhancement of the canal, as exemplified by the "Canal Watch" group, is an encouraging development for the future.
