Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:441 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when remedial and enhancement work is likely to start on the Grand Canal sections from Harold's Cross to Clondalkin. [21163/02]
Written Answers. - Inland Waterways.
Waterways Ireland is one of the six North-South implementation bodies established on 2 December 1999 by the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999 and the North/South Co-operation Order, 1999. The matter raised by the Deputy is a day-to-day operational matter for Waterways Ireland.
Waterways Ireland has informed me that it has no plans at present to commence remedial and enhancement work on the Grand Canal sections from Harold's Cross to Clondalkin.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:442 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there is an agreement between Luas and Waterways Ireland to reinstate the Grand Canal banks on Davitt Road, Dublin, to their original state. [21164/02]
Waterways Ireland is one of the six North-South implementation bodies established on 2 December 1999 by the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999 and the North/South Co-operation Order, 1999. The matter raised by the Deputy is a day-to-day operational matter for Waterways Ireland.
I have been informed by Waterways Ireland that it has been involved in ongoing discussions with Luas now – the Railway Procurement Agency – to ensure that the Grand Canal banks on Davitt Road will be reinstated to their original state.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:443 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the plans which exist to make the Grand Canal the community amenity and resource it has the potential to become, especially in view of the fact that it passes through areas of high disadvantage. [21165/02]
Waterways Ireland is one of the six North-South implementation bodies established on 2 December 1999 by the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999 and the North-South Co-operation Order, 1999. Waterways Ireland's remit is the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterway system, principally for recreational purposes. The matter raised by the Deputy is a day-to-day operational matter for Waterways Ireland.
I am informed by Waterways Ireland that it is committed to the development of the waterway network both as a visitor and tourism attraction and as a resource and amenity for the communities living along its corridor. A number of programmes are being implemented on the Grand Canal waterway including the development of facilities and amenities such as fishing stands, jetties and landscaping. A fish-stocking programme has been undertaken on behalf of the body by the Central Fisheries Board. A schools education programme was run in conjunction with the Offaly and Kildare Partnership. In addition there have been other maintenance, remedial and cleaning programmes.