Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:46 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance the funding, if any, likely to be made available in 1993 for the preservation of the Grand Canal at Robertstown, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Preservation of Grand Canal.
It is not practicable to identify the precise level of funding which the Office of Public Works will be devoting to the Robertstown area in 1993, as a distinct element of its overall canal spending.
The principal feature in the Office of Public Works' ongoing programme towards upgrading the Grand Canal in the Robertstown area, apart from routine maintenance to maintain navigation, is a fisheries development programme. In recent months, this has involved fish stocking, the cutting of "swims" through the bankside vegetation to provide access for angling and the provision of vehicle lay-bys along the canal banks for fishermen. Allied to this programme are research projects on aquatic plant management and water quality monitoring. These elements are all interlinked and are crucial to maintaining the high amenity status of the canal.
The Office of Public Works has also facilitated the Robertstown Development Association in reactivating the running of boat trips on the canal at Robertstown this summer.
It is also intended to provide a small jetty at Lowtown to facilitate people embarking on boats.