Vol. 523 No. 5
258 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason the pedestrian route along the Royal Canal did not re-open earlier in 2000 as agreed with Dúchas; and the current timescale for its re-opening. [21751/00]
This matter is now the responsibility of Waterways Ireland, a North- South implementation body for inland waterways, established on 2 December 1999 on foot of the British-Irish Agreement signed in March 1999.
As the Deputy will be aware, it had been hoped that the Royal Canal towpath at the rear of Croke Park would be re-opened to the public last April. However, because construction target dates were not met, an extension of time to September was subsequently agreed with Dúchas – Waterways Ireland – and residents. I understand that this deadline has also not been met and that the GAA has requested a further and, hopefully, final extension of time to the end of the year. Waterways Ireland informs me that it expects the GAA to consult again with residents in the matter. It will also insist that the site must be made safe before accepting the handover of this section of canal for public use.
259 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if steps will be taken to expand the by-laws, on similar lines to recent changes introduced by Dublin Corporation, to prohibit the drinking of alcohol on the banks of the Royal and Grand Canals within Dublin city. [21752/00]
While this matter now comes within the responsibilities of Waterways Ireland, the North-South implementation body for inland waterways, established on 2 December 1999 on foot of the British-Irish Agreement signed in March 1999, I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question – Question No. 272, on 23 May 2000. Under section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, there is provision for the seizure of alcohol by the Garda from a person who is intoxicated in certain circumstances in a public place. The gardaí have approval to enter onto canal property in the exercise of their duties. Accordingly, the enforcement of the above legislation offers the best way to tackle these cases of anti-social behaviour. Any concerns that the Deputy may have with canal by-laws should be taken up directly by him with Waterways Ireland.
