Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 1996

Vol. 464 No. 1

Written Answers. - Grand Canal Maintenance.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

73 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will request the Office of Public Works to state the reason the stretch of the Grand Canal at the rear of Nos. 14 to 30 Jamestown Road, Dublin 8, is not cleaned or attended to as regularly as adjoining stretches of the canal; if this practice will now be rectified; if the open land between the canal and the houses referred to is in its ownership; and, if so, if it can be secured by railings and a gate to prevent it being abused by undesirables. [7732/96]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

The Waterways Service employs contractors to regularly remove litter and cut grass on canal property from Grand Canal Street to the old 5th Lockhouse, Bluebell, Inchicore. The Waterways Service has also recently cleaned out the lock chambers in the Dublin area, including the 3rd Lock at Blackhorse Bridge. There is no policy to discriminate between the different stretches of the canal in regard to regular maintenance activity. However, I understand that the Inchicore and Kilmainham Development Association recently organised a voluntary clean out of the canal at the first level, which is below Blackhorse Bridge, with the agreement and assistance of the Waterways Service. I would be pleased if other groups would show the same level of pride and initiative in the development of their areas.

The Deputy is aware from a previous parliamentary question last November, which deals with the same area, that canal property extends from the waterway to the back/overflow drain. I understand that this drain does require a clean-out and this work will be carried out shortly.

It is not the policy to erect barriers or railings on canal property, but rather to develop the waterways as public open space.