Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 2

Written Answers. - Inland Waterways.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

266 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the delay in the provision of a replacement footbridge over the Royal Canal at Maynooth, County Kildare, which is causing a severe inconvenience to train commuters who wish to access Main Street via Leinster Street and are insisting that the replacement footbridge be placed 30 metres west of the previous footbridge; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that CIÉ and Kildare County Council want the new footbridge to be repositioned at its former location; if she will direct the officials to agree to the location by CIÉ and Kildare County Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11592/99]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera):

Responsibility for the Royal Canal was transferred to my Department in 1996.

The replacement of the footbridge in question is, however, a matter for Iarnród Éireann and its engineers and those of my Department have agreed that the appropriate site for the new bridge would be some 30 metres west of the original location. My Department is not aware that Kildare County Council has yet been consulted regarding any necessary planning permission. My Department has co-operated fully with Iarnród Éireann in this matter and I am satisfied that the replacement of the footbridge has not been obstructed or delayed by my Department.