Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 5 Dec 1963

Vol. 206 No. 6

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grand Canal.

15.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that certain private interests are prepared to invest large sums of private capital in the development of the Grand Canal by way of boatbuilding, caravan building, the setting up of a boat repairs depot, its establishment abroad as a tourist attraction and its development for coarse fishing; and if he will now make a statement of policy so as to enable such private interests to invest their money without the fear of legislation being introduced which might result in the closing of the canal and the loss of their financial investments.

16.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, having regard to the fact that the Grand Canal is essential for the development of the Shannon, and that many tourists who are afraid of the size of the Shannon lakes prefer boating holidays on the canal, he will state what steps are in contemplation to secure that the very valuable tourist attraction of the canal is retained.

Mr. Childers

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.

The future of the Grand Canal is at present under consideration and until such time as decisions are reached in the matter there is nothing I can add to the replies which I have already given to previous questions on this subject.

Dr. Browne

Can the Minister give any indication at all as to how long it is likely to take?

Mr. Childers

I am not able to state how long it will take.

Mr. Dillon

Ad interim, while the Minister is still excogitating this problem, could he consider any scheme now in relation to the CIE or Dublin Corporation or any other interested party which could clean up this canal in its course through the city of Dublin in view of the fact that a clean canal would be a most precious amenity for the city whereas a dirty canal provides the Minister with a foundation for his apparent heartfelt desire to convert it into a permanent sewer?

Mr. Childers

First, I have no such desire nor have I any opinion on the advisability of converting it into a sewer. Secondly, Dublin Corporation and CIE are in consultation as to the maintenance of the canal and I have no indication one way or the other that the matter is in dispute

Mr. Dillon

Ad interim, would the Minister not agree that the canal does present in certain of its stretches in the city a very dirty unkempt appearance and would it not be possible for the Minister to use his good offices to coordinate the appropriate agencies to secure that the canal will be cleaned up ad interim until a final decision is taken as to its ultimate fate?

Mr. Childers

I am quite willing to inquire of the Corporation whether they have any dispute with CIE in the matter.

Mr. Dillon

I do not want a dispute. I want positive agreement between the bodies concerned to have it cleaned up.

Mr. Briscoe

The Corporation has no responsibility.

Mr. Dillon

The Minister says they have. I cannot deal with the whole Fianna Fáil Party. I am dealing with the Minister for Transport and Power. He says they have.

Mr. Briscoe

The Deputy knows as well as I do that it is a job for CIE.

Mr. Dillon

All I do know is that it is dirty and that nobody is doing anything about it.

Mr. Briscoe

I agree with that, too.

An Ceann Comhairle

When this conversation has ended, we may proceed.

Mr. Dillon

I am getting more information from Deputy Briscoe than from the Minister.

Mr. Briscoe

I know more about it.

Mr. Dillon

That would not surprise me and it would put no great strain on your intellect if you did.

17.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will give details of the number of workers employed by CIE on maintenance of the Grand Canal in 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962 and up to 1st November 1963; if he will state the cost of the maintenance work carried out over the periods mentioned; what plans CIE have for the full and complete maintenance of the Grand Canal; and if staffs will be recruited for this work in order that the canal may be cleaned and kept in good condition from Edenderry via Daingean, Tullamore, Rahan, Ferbane, Belmont, Shannonharbour and direct to the Shannon.

18.

Mr. O.J. Flanagan

asked the Minister for Transport and Power what action he proposes to take against CIE for failing to comply with their statutory obligation to keep the Grand Canal in such condition that it can be used for navigation and boating purposes; and if he will explain why CIE are not maintaining it in a satisfactory condition for such purposes.

Mr. Childers

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.

I have no evidence that CIE is in default of its statutory obligation in this matter. As I have already indicated, CIE use two mechanically operated weeding boats on the canal but because of the almost complete absence of navigation on the canal the growth of weeds has increased. CIE are examining the question of additional equipment.

I am informed by CIE that the number of workers, inclusive of lock-keepers, employed on the maintenance of the Grand Canal at the 31st March each year since 1958 were:—

1958	141
1959	141
1960	92
1961	93
1962	95
1963	93

The number employed on 1st November, 1963 was 93.

Expenditure on maintenance of the canal, including lock-keeping, since year ended 31st March, 1959 was, to the nearest £1,000 in each case:—

	£
1958/59	50,000
1959/60	45,000
1960/61	35,000
1961/62	40,000
1962/63	42,000

April, 1963 to November, 1963 was £27,000.

Mr. Dillon

Whatever about weeds, which are a transport hazard, would the Minister not think it desirable to invite CIE effectively to clean the canal in its passage through the city of Dublin and dispose of the dirt down at the outlet? It threatens to become a public nuisance in the city where it ought to be a precious amenity. Would the Minister consider that—just cleaning the dirt out of it?

Mr. Childers

I will find out whether CIE have had any complaints from the Corporation in regard to that.

Mr. Dillon

I am complaining.

Mr. Childers

I will draw their attention to what the Deputy says.

Mr. Dillon

I am obliged to the Minister. There must be other residents of the City of Dublin who have complained about the dirty nature of the canal.

Dr. Browne

Would the Minister say why, if he is satisfied that CIE is doing a satsfactory job — which is obviously not true—it is intended to purchase extra machines?

Mr. Childers

Simply because the weeds are growing faster and because the track has diminished on the canal. The growth of weeds has increased, particularly during the summer months, and that is why CIE are examining the question of further equipment.

Dr. Browne

Then they must be doing an unsatisfactory job at the moment.

Mr. Smith

They are spending a fair share of money all the same.