asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that every year, during the low-water period, the River Shannon in the vicinity of Athlone is badly choked with masses of weeds, making it almost impassable for boats and rendering its appearance very unsightly; and, if so, whether he is prepared to make arrangements to remedy this unsatisfactory state of affairs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clearing of Shannon at Athlone.
The responsibility of the Commissioners of Public Works in the matter of clearing weed growths from the River Shannon is confined to the removal of growths which might interfere with traffic on the navigation channel, and this work is carried out as necessary. The commissioners have no responsibility for the general clearing of the weeds from the river.
Might I point out to the Parliamentary Secretary that this river is used extensively by boating parties—tourists and local people? The local association have made repeated representations to the Board of Works, to the Shannon Navigation Company and to the Electricity Supply Board to try to pin-point some responsibility in this connection and cannot establish what body is responsible. Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House who is responsible for this work if his Department is not?
The responsibility of the Office of Public Works relates only to the clearing of the navigational channel.
I asked that question some months ago and I got a similar reply. Is it fair when we are trying to encourage tourists to the country to see the Shannon near Athlone in such a scandalous state?
That is a separate question.
I am leading up to the main point of the question. Is it possible that the Parliamentary Secretary is not in a position to let the House or the people know who is responsible for removing these unsightly weeds from the bed of the Shannon near Athlone? Could we get that information so that the people themselves could bring pressure to bear upon them?