Vol. 476 No. 5
112 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the action, if any, which will be taken to clean up the stretch of the Royal Canal which extends westwards from Kirkpatrick Bridge, Dublin 15, in view of the large amount of refuse and other dumping, particularly in the area of the Clonsilla cutting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7431/97]
I advise the Deputy that the waterways service of my Department is aware of the illegal dumping in the area west of Kirkpatrick Bridge. However, it is my understanding that the land on which the dumping has occurred was sold to private individuals in 1995. The waterways service only retains a 6.4 metre wide strip of canal bank and therefore cannot be held responsible for the removal of refuse from the area in question. However, I have instructed the waterways service to contact the owners to see what measures can be taken to improve the situation.
