Dick Spring
Ceist:290 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the reason no work has taken place on the Tralee canal project for the past 12 months. [24408/99]
Written Answers. - Inland Waterways.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his Question No. 703 of 29 Meán Fómhair 1999 in relation to this matter. The restoration works are being undertaken on my behalf by the Office of Public Works. I am advised that the construction of the swing bridge at Blennerville together with the necessary ancillary works should be carried out prior to completion of the works at the Basin. The evaluation of the bridge tenders has recently been completed and I understand that a contract should be placed shortly by the Office of Public Works. Furthermore, following the excavation of the Basin area, a structural assessment of the walls had to be undertaken and the preparation of tender documents is now under way.
In the circumstances, while no physical works have been carried out on the ground this year, completion of the necessary preparatory design and contractual elements of the project has been substantially advanced.