Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 6

Written Answers. - Inland Waterways.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

258 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the exact amount which has been provided by his Department under the national development plan to ensure that the remainder of the Royal Canal from Ballynacargy, County Westmeath to Clondra, County Longford, is restored to full navigability; the time frame in which it is anticipated that this work would be completed; the details of the full programme of restoration works planned for this particular stretch of the canal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14965/02]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

The issue raised by the Deputy in relation to the re-opening of the Royal Canal from Ballynacargy, County Westmeath to Clondra, Country Longford is the day to day responsibility of Waterways Ireland, a North-South Implementation body for Inland Waterways, set-up under the British-Irish Agreement signed in March 1999.

Waterways Ireland took over the responsibility for the Royal Canal with effect from 1 April 2000 and is responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterways system throughout Ireland, principally for recreational purposes.

The Royal Canal is open to navigation between Dublin and Abbeyshrule, County Longford a distance of 70 miles. Work on the restoration of the remaining 20 miles is in progress. The outstanding works include the construction of seven bridges to replace existing culverts; lock-gate installation; reconstruction of bog embankments; and the provision of additional water supplies as well as bank repairs.

The work to remove one of the seven culverts commenced in December 2001 and is due to be completed in August 2002. Engineering consultants have been engaged to design replacement bridges for a further two culvert sites and consultants will be engaged shortly to design the remaining four bridges.

Under the National Development Plan 2000-2006 some €15 million in 1999 terms has been allocated to the Royal Canal Restoration Project. Waterways Ireland also inform me that while they hope to complete this project on time – within the time frame of NDP – and within budget, they feel that this may be difficult to achieve in view of escalating construction costs affecting the civil engineering industry.