asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the principal colliery proprietor in the Arigna area has volunteered to erect an aerial rope along the canal from his pithead to the railway siding near Drumshambo, for the towage of boats; whether the canal is at present navigable; and whether there is a statutory obligation on the State to maintain it in a navigable condition.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ARIGNA CANAL.
I understand that the colliery proprietor referred to is willing to erect a ropeway for carrying coal to the siding of the Arigna Colliery railway, but no question of a ropeway for towing boats has arisen. The effective use of an improved Lough Allen canal would need a ropeway to carry coal from the collieries to Lough Allen, but it is unlikely that the traffic which at present could be expected to use the canal could bear the cost either of improvements to the canal or of the ropeway. The canal is part of the Shannon Navigation which the Commissioners of Public Works are bound to maintain as a navigable river. Its effective navigation depth is 3 feet 6 inches, permitting the passage of cargoes of about 30 tons.