Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
593. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the person or body responsible for the upkeep and controlling authority of Saleen Pier, Ballylongford, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14647/21]
View answerWaterways Ireland assumed responsibility for management, maintenance and development principally for recreational purposes of the Shannon Navigation under Cl. 1. of Annex 2, Part 1 of British Irish Agreement Act, 1999 with effect from 1 April, 2000. The “Shannon Navigation” is defined in the Shannon Navigation Act, 1990 by reference to an Act of the British Parliament, 2 & 3 Vict., c.61 which is the Shannon Act, 1885. The Shannon Act, 1885 empowered the Commissioners of Public Works to make provision with respect to the maintenance of certain piers in the estuary of the River Shannon including Saleen (Ballylongford ) Pier, Co. Kerry by committing the maintenance thereof to named trustees or to a local authority or to a harbour authority.
The Shannon Act, 1885 was repealed in relation to any harbour authority by the Harbours Act, 1946.
If ownership of Saleen Pier has not yet been vested in another authority, it appears responsibility for same rests with Waterways Ireland.
However, the Shannon Navigation (Extension of Limits of Navigation) Bye-laws, 1998 fixed and determined the southern limits of the river Shannon as the upstream face of Mallow Street Bridge (which connects the parish of St. Nicholas with the parish of St. Michael) in the city of Limerick. As Waterways Ireland’s remit does not extend beyond Limerick city, the Body is endeavouring to identify a more appropriate authority with whom we would engage to transfer ownership, subject to the required approvals.
