Vol. 518 No. 2
115 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of submissions Dúchas received in relation to the city canals plan for Portobello; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11325/00]
The city canals plan has been developed under a joint initiative between Dúchas, the waterways section of my Department, and Dublin Corporation to upgrade two pilot stretches of the city canals. The proposals were put on public display last February at a number of venues. The majority of the submissions in relation to the city canals plan were received by Dublin Corporation. I understand that approximately 40 submissions relate to the Portobello area and that all the submissions will be considered.
116 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands her views on whether seating as part of the city canals plan in the Portobello area would attract unruly elements; the research carried out in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11326/00]
In 1998 a joint project between Dúchas, the waterways section of my Department, and Dublin Corporation was initiated to upgrade two pilot stretches of the city canals, from La Touche Bridge, Portobello to Robert Emmet Bridge, Harold's Cross on the Grand Canal and from Newcomen Bridge to Russell Street Bridge on the Royal Canal. The proposals were placed on public display last February at a number of venues, including The Civic Offices, Rathmines Library, Charleville Mall Library, and the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Mespil Road. The response from the public and interested bodies has been generally constructive.
It should be noted that 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 waterways systems throughout the island, principally for recreational purposes.
Accordingly, Waterways Ireland, together with Dublin Corporation, will consider all the submissions that have arisen out of the public consultation process, including the issue of seating.
117 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when the city canals plan for the Portobello area will be complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11327/00]
The city canals plan, which has been developed under a joint initiative between Dúchas, the waterways section of my Department, and Dublin Corporation to upgrade two pilot stretches of the city canals, was placed on public display last February at a number of venues. I understand that it is hoped to commence works at Portobello towards the end of this year, and that further works will be carried out on a phased basis with a view to completing the programme within a three year period.
