asked the Minister for Local Government whether legislation will be introduced by him before the closing of the Grand Canal; how long he expects the canal to be closed; and what steps have been taken to ensure that the canal will be capable of being reopened.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Grand Canal.
38.
As I stated in reply to a previous question on the subject, the extent to which existing legislation may be inadequate to enable the Dublin city section of the Grand Canal to be closed temporarily to permit Dublin Corporation to lay sewerage drains under the canal and to restore the canal over the drains is being examined. The question of introducing legislation will be decided in the light of the outcome of this examination for the purposes of which the Corporation is consulting with CIE.
The agreement to the temporary closure is in principle only until it is established that a scheme which will permit the restoration of the canal is feasible. The planning of the scheme is proceeding on this basis. I could not, at this stage of planning, give any indication as to the length of the probable period of closure.