Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 February 2014
147. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has considered the negative effects that increased mooring fees, annual cruising permits and annual houseboat mooring fees will have on the public. [7800/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Waterways Ireland proposes to make new bye-laws which are intended to enhance its ability to manage the canals for the benefit of all canal users. There are over 14,000 registered boat owners on the seven waterways managed by Waterways Ireland. These seven waterways make a vital contribution to tourism, attracting visitors from around Ireland and from abroad. The proposed bye-laws are intended to support the investment already made by Waterways Ireland in new infrastructure and facilities along the canals. That investment has made the waterways more attractive for boat owners and is helping to develop them as a vibrant recreational and tourist amenity for all waterway users. Given that background, it is now necessary to update the bye-laws to ensure that the rules governing use of the waterways are fit for purpose and best meet the needs of all waterway users.
The proposed new bye-laws provide for the management of house boats, defined as a boat on the canals which is being used as the sole or principal residence of the owner or an occupant with the owner's permission, as well as for extended moorings and residential moorings. An Annual Houseboat Mooring Permit will be required for a houseboat not navigating or continuously cruising the canals. The permit will allow the use of a mooring identified by Waterways Ireland on the canals where the houseboat may moor for more than five days and up to one year. It is not possible to give an accurate estimate of the total number of boat owners who will be required to take out an Annual Houseboat Mooring Permit in the event of the draft bye-laws coming into force. However, I am advised that Waterways Ireland issued 276 Combined Mooring and Passage permits in 2013 for boats to navigate on the Grand and Royal Canals. In addition, 151 Extended Mooring Permits have been issued to boat owners wishing to occupy dedicated berths on these navigations.
The proposed bye-laws will also modernise the charging regime. There will also be further provision for the care, management, maintenance and control and the regulation of the use of the canals, moorings on the canals, and their use by the public for recreation and navigation purposes.
I am aware of and appreciate that concerns have been raised regarding the proposed byelaws. Waterways Ireland undertook a public consultation on the draft bye-laws referred to, which concluded on the 3rd February last. I am advised that Waterways Ireland is currently in the process of carrying out an analysis of all submissions on the draft bye-laws received during the consultation process. Once the analysis has been completed, all submissions will be given due consideration by Waterways Ireland and a report on the outcome of the process will be prepared. The report will be forwarded to my Department and will then be referred to me, with recommendations for consideration and final decision.
