Alan Shatter
Question:8 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her Department has plans to increase the operating hours of locks on the Shannon-Erne waterways for the 2002 tourist season. [27074/01]
Other Questions. - Inland Waterways.
The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the operating hours of locks on the Shannon-Erne waterway is the day to day responsibility of Waterways Ireland, a North-South implementation body for inland waterways, set up under the Good Friday Agreement which was signed in March 1999. However, Waterways Ireland has informed me that while its contacts with operators are ongoing, it has no plans to increase the operating hours of locks on the Shannon-Erne waterway for the 2002 tourist season.