Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016
611. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the person responsible for Waterways Ireland and why he or she is allowing a full commercial development to operate on land and water owned by Waterways Ireland which is clearly outside the Waterways Ireland jurisdiction line in Killinure Lough, County Westmeath. [9836/16]
View answerWaterways Ireland operates under the policy direction of the North South Ministerial Council and the Ministers of the relevant Sponsor Departments (my own Department and the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland) and is accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly and the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland is Dawn Livingstone. I have been informed by Waterways Ireland that responsibility regarding the ongoing issue referred to by the Deputy is a matter for Westmeath County Council. I am also informed that planning permission issued by the relevant local authority is a prerequisite to Waterways Ireland regulating encroachments and granting leases on its property.
