Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 4

Written Answers. - Inland Waterways.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

220 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has satisfied herself that the ongoing dredging taking place on the River Barrow between Goresbridge and Ballytiglea Bridge on the Carlow-Kilkenny border is not detrimental to fishing on the river; if she will have full investigations made into the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17534/00]

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

Waterways Ireland, a North-South Implementation Body for inland waterways, was established on 2 December 1999 on foot of the British-Irish Agreement and the supplementary Implementation Bodies Agreement signed in March 1999. It has the functions of management, maintenance, development and restoration of certain inland navigable waterways systems throughout the island, principally for recreational purposes.

Although the matter is now one for consideration by Waterways Ireland, I can inform the Deputy that before dredging commenced on the Barrow Navigation Channel, north of Ballytiglea Bridge in 1998, discussions took place with the Southern Regional Fisheries Board development officer and Goresbridge Anglers Association to discuss the effects of the proposed improvements and that procedures were then agreed. All works have been restricted to the navigation channel and the remainder of the river width is left untouched.