Waterways Ireland has a statutory responsibility to ensure the protection of the water quality of the canals, and the habitats and ecological systems that depend on it. Waterways Ireland is also responsible for complying with environmental legislation including the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Fisheries Acts ( the canals are coarse fisheries of national significance). The canals are also proposed Natural Heritage Areas; of national significance from a conservation perspective, and are protected under the Wildlife Acts.
The functions of Waterways Ireland relate only to the management, maintenance, restoration and development of inland waterways. It has no powers or functions in regard to the provision of accommodation for those who might need it. The by-laws governing the use of inland waterways were introduced in 1988: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1988/si/247/made/en.
Residential moorings on any inland waterways do require planning permission and infrastructure. This would be required for the safe provision of water, sewage, location for bins, and access and egress for emergency vehicles. Recreational access to canals for members of the public, which are public amenities of significant cultural and heritage value, would also need to be retained. Any plan or development proposal is also considered in relation to relevant County or City Development Plans and any locally impacted community.
My colleague, Minister of State Noonan recently met the Acting CEO of Waterways Ireland to discuss, among other issues, sustainable urban canals and their communities. Our canals and navigable waterways are essential components of our built and natural heritage, which can accommodate unique and vibrant communities, harbour biodiversity and host youth and leisure amenities. Waterways Ireland will engage in a collaborative process with all stakeholders around finding a long term, sustainable solution to regularise the use of the canals, recognising the cultural and heritage value of our canal network as living communities of people and ecology. The process, with community and sustainability at its heart will seed the future strategy.
Waterways Ireland is working on a ten-year strategy for the development of Ireland’s inland waterways. As part of this exercise, it will examine all opportunities to develop, over the next decade, initiatives for each of its navigations. These will include areas on and along the country’s inland waterways infrastructure. Plans will be consistent with its remit; its funding; and will involve consultation and engagement with the many diverse stakeholders within the catchment areas.
