Martin Brady
Question:324 Mr. M. Brady asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the legalisation governing the permanent berthing of house boats on canals and rivers. [24397/98]
Written Answers - Inland Waterways.
The legislation in respect of the canals and rivers for which I have responsibility, i.e. the Canals Act, 1986 and the
Shannon Navigation Act, 1990, has no specific provision regarding house boats. However, the making of by-laws is permitted under the Acts and this power is used to control all aspects of boating on the navigations.
Denis Naughten
Question:325 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, there are to reduce the flood level of the Shannon at Clonown, Athlone, County Roscommon, in view of the fact that the main access route out of the village is submerged in water; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24807/98]
Dúchas the Heritage Service of my Department operates sluices on the stretch of the Shannon river at Clonown, Athlone, in order to retain an adequate water depth for navigation purposes during the summer months. I am advised, however, that these sluices which are opened in the winter, have no effect on winter flood levels. The winter flooding occurs because the river channel is incapable of adequately conveying the large volumes of water which arise in times of prolonged heavy rainfall.