This issue could be the subject of important legislation. Limerick is on the lowest bridgeable point of the Shannon. It is an extraordinarily attractive and enviable location, yet the river flowing through it, the longest navigable river in Britain or in Ireland, is not navigable through the city. That is extraordinary. The Shannon is not navigable at the lowest bridgeable point and at its deepest and broadest point.
The marina at Kilrush, which was the subject of argument and discussion some years ago, is well run, a jewel in the crown of Shannon Development, a great addition to Kilrush and a great amenity. However, it suffers from two major problems, one of which concerns the Minister's part of the country. An all-weather marina with floating pontoons is not available north of Kilrush. Consequently boats, cruisers and yachts tend not to go far north. They may go as far as Kilrush but have to turn back.
Contrast that with what happens at the mouth of the Thames, the Dart or one of the other rivers in the south of England. There is a huge volume of traffic through the city of London every day of all sorts of boats, cruisers and yachts. Cruisers from the upper Thames go through the city and out through the Thames estuary to the sea.
This type of development would bring a huge growth in the tourism industry in Clare in particular. The reality is that for a boat to get through the city of Limerick a detailed knowledge of navigation is required. Given that it is dangerous and difficult people do not attempt it. The number of boats that go through Limerick in the course of a year is less than 100. Some of the bridges at Limerick are so low and the water level underneath so shallow that boats cannot get through. Baal's Bridge which is the lowest has a drop from the apex to the bed of the river of only 17 feet. Allowing for a keel depth of five or six feet underneath the boat and some space for stones, a boat of more than ten feet over the water cannot get under that bridge. Boats under ten feet can pass for a period of 20 minutes each day at most. If you have come up a long stretch of river to arrive at a bridge at exactly that point it can be difficult, if not impossible, to get by.
The city of Limerick is losing a massive amount of money because this aspect of tourism potential is not being developed. The proposal is to marry it with the main drainage system proposed for Limerick city. This has been agreed by all the interests including the various Departments of State. What is the timescale for this work? It is proposed that the main sewerage pipe be lodged in the bed of the River Shannon or the Abbey river which is part of the Shannon river. That would allow the river to be dredged and navigation to get through under Baal's Bridge and Matthew Bridge. This, as well as a small city marina at the Hunt Museum and lock gates at the lay-by at Sarsfield's Bridge, would give tourism investment in the River Shannon at Limerick a huge boost. This could be done for just over £2 million and would create a great synergy between State Departments. I understand, and I hope the Minister will confirm, there is agreement among all the parties that this development should take place. I am interested to know when this work will start, if there are obstacles and, if so, how it is intended to proceed. This would a huge and invaluable attraction to places such as Tarbert, Foynes, Kilrush, Carrigaholt and others along the Shannon estuary. Many of these small places depend on tourist traffic and this would be a new attraction. It would give a whole new dimension to tourism in those areas and it could be done for the cost of a small swimming pool in a provincial town. This development is necessary.
One of the problems is the old story of the curse of St. Munchin, who is the patron saint of the Limerick city. St. Munchin looked for help from the business people of Limerick many centuries ago and the story is that he was refused it. It is said that he cast a curse on the city of Limerick to the effect that no Limerick person would ever have enough appreciation to be successful in their own city.
