Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 5

Written Answers. - Inland Waterways.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

15 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will consider, together with the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, the development of the Grand and Royal canals, Dublin in view of the linear water amenities for the capital, including fishing, water sport and environmental educational facilities. [19012/97]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

While the Canals Act, 1986, makes provision for the development of the canals as public amenities, the recent Grand Canal and Royal Canal corridor studies, which were published in 1994 and 1995, set out frameworks for undertaking improvements to the physical, economic and social environment within the canal corridors in the Dublin area.

Steady improvements have been made in developing the canal infrastructure in the Dublin area over the past number of years. This work included hard landscaping in Ringsend Dock, three planting along the waterways, automation of a sea lock at Ringsend, replacement of lock gates on the system, new jetties at Mespil Road and Portobello, new mooring posts throughout the system and dredging works. Further improvements will be carried out on both canals over the next few years as funding permits.

EU funding under the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99 has been used to provide canal infrastructure and, inter alia, to provide a fish stocking programme on the canals and to install fishing stands at specific locations on the system. It is my objective to develop the canals as premier coarse fishing centres and I have been greatly encouraged by the development of new angling clubs along the canals in the Dublin area. The excellent water quality in our canals has been a major factor contributing to the development of fishing along the system and it is the intention, with the assistance of the Central Fisheries Board, to maintain these high standards.

The canals are also increasingly used for water sport activities, particularly on the large water body at Ringsend Dock. Water-based sporting activities include wind surfing, dinghy sailing, swimming, canoeing and model boat racing. Canoe polo is also becoming popular and international canoe polo competitions have taken place on the Royal Canal at Kilcock.

The Waterways Visitor Centre at Grand Canal Quay provides a unique educational facility for developing an understanding of the waterways system throughout the country. The Centre has become a popular attraction for school trips and I would hope that more schools and colleges will avail of this wonderful facility in the future.