Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
590. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he has considered the negative effects the new changes to by-laws dealing with access, fees and permits for the waterways in this State will have; the reason these changes are being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13556/14]
View answer591. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the locations where boats will be able to moor have been identified; if he will outline them; the annual mooring charge for each of the mooring locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13557/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 590 and 591 together.
Our waterways make a vital contribution to tourism, attracting visitors from around Ireland and from abroad. There are over 14,000 registered boat owners on the seven waterways managed by Waterways Ireland. As the Deputy is aware, Waterways Ireland has prepared draft bye-laws in respect of the Grand Canal, the Royal Canal and the Barrow Navigation. These proposed bye-laws were the subject of a statutory public consultation process earlier this year.
The proposed bye-laws are intended to support the investment already made by Waterways Ireland in new infrastructure and facilities along the canals. They will enhance Waterways Ireland’s ability to manage, care for and maintain the canals and to help to develop them as a vibrant recreational and tourist amenity for all waterway users including those that use the canals for residential purposes, and will help create and develop the canals into a waterways system that is modern and fit for purpose.
There have been no changes to the bye-laws for over 24 years. There are areas of canal use which have developed in that time in an unregulated manner such as the use of the canals by people living permanently on their boats. Under the existing bye-laws there is no provision of this type of use. A further problem is the permanent mooring of privately owned boats in key village and harbour locations which is deterring touring boat traffic as there is no access to be able to moor and visit, spend money, eat in local restaurants, etc in such locations.
Active control of how boats use the canals is vital if they are to flourish for boating use and there has been exaggeration of for example the change to the charging regime. New bye-laws are necessary to ensure the proper management and control of these nationally important recreational assets.
The draft bye-laws propose that the cost of the annual extended canals mooring permit would range from €160 to €1,600 in most cases, depending on the size of boat, location and services provided. In the Grand Canal Dock in Dublin, the proposed cost of the extended mooring permit is €2,500 per annum.
The proposed bye-laws also 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. The proposed fee for the houseboat mooring permit, where these are provided, will range from €1,250 to €3,500 per annum, again depending on the locations and services provided.
I am advised that Waterways Ireland received over 2,000 submissions in the course of the bye-law consultation process. Waterways Ireland is now giving full and careful consideration to all of these submissions, following which it will prepare a report setting out its proposed approach, including any revisions it may wish to make to its original proposals. The report will be submitted to my Department and will then be referred to me, with recommendations for consideration and final decision. As I indicated previously, I will afford interested Deputies and Senators an opportunity to discuss the proposals with me prior to making the final decision.
I am informed by Waterways Ireland that over 50 extended mooring locations have been identified, mapped and published on the Waterways Ireland website. Following the making of new bye-laws, Waterways Ireland's valuation staff will develop the proposed annual mooring charges for each of the mooring locations already identified and for any other locations that may be identified in the meantime.
