Jack Wall
Question:236 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands is she will provide funding for a jetty for the barge project in Athy, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10133/00]
Written Answers. - Barge Project.
Waterways Ireland, a North-South implementation body for inland waterways, was established on 2 December 1999 on foot of the British-Irish Agreement and the supplementary Implementation Bodies Agreement signed in March 1999. It has the functions of management, maintenance, development and restoration of certain inland navigable waterway systems throughout the island, principally for recreational purposes.
On 2 December 1999, the body took responsibility for the Shannon-Erne Waterway, carrying out appropriate studies and appraisals on the possible restoration of the Ulster Canal and taking over control of Shannon-Erne Waterway Promotions Limited.
With effect from 1 April 2000 the body assumed responsibility for the Erne system, the Shannon navigation, the Royal and Grand Canals, including the Barrow navigation, and the Lower Bann navigation. Other waterways may be added to the remit of the body in the future.
In the discharge of its management and development function principally for recreational purposes, the body will engage in promotion including marketing and development of the tourism and commercial potential of the inland waterways for which it has responsibility.
Accordingly, I have to advise the Deputy that the matter raised by him is one for consideration by Waterways Ireland in the first instance.
As the Deputy will be aware I have to date made available over £100,000 for the reconstruction of a barge at Athy by a local community group.