Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 2

Written Answers. - Inland Waterways.

John Bruton

Question:

443 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will provide a progress report on works on the Royal Canal aimed at re-opening the waterway from Dublin to the River Shannon; the amount of money set aside for the project; if the project will be finished within budget; if not, the reasons therefor; if the project will be completed by 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7548/02]

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

The issue raised by the Deputy, in relation to the works on the Royal Canal aimed at re-opening the waterway from Dublin to the River Shannon is the day to day responsibility of Waterways Ireland, a North-South Implementation Body for inland waterways, set up under the British-Irish Agreement signed in March 1999.

Waterways Ireland took over responsibility for the Royal Canal with effect from 1 April 2000 and is responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterways system throughout Ireland, principally for recreational purposes.

The Royal Canal is open to navigation between Dublin and Abbeyshrule, County Longford, a distance of 70 miles. Work of the restoration of the remaining 20 miles is in progress. The outstanding works include the construction of seven road bridges to replace existing culverts, lockgate installation, reconstruction of bog embankments, the provision of additional water supplies as well as minor bank repairs.

The works to remove one of the seven culverts commenced in December 2001 and is due to be completed in July 2002. Engineering consultants have been engaged to design replacement bridges for a further two culvert sites and consultants will be engaged shortly to design the remaining four bridges.

Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 some €15 million in 1999 terms has been allocated to the Royal Canal restoration project. Waterways Ireland also inform me that while they still hope to complete this project on time and within budget, the escalating construction costs affecting the civil engineering industry may require a re-evaluation of the project to be undertaken in the near future.