Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2023
194. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to work with Waterways Ireland to bring the Newry Canal within its network of waterways; and if he has received a request from Waterways Ireland to bring the canal within its area of responsibility. [47055/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWaterways Ireland is a North South body whose role, responsibilities and remit are set out in the British Irish Agreement Act 1999 and the North-South (Implementation Bodies) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999.
Any amendment to the remit of Waterways Ireland would be a matter for the North South Ministerial Council and would require legislative changes to both the Act and the Order.
The body has responsibility for the following waterways:
The Shannon Navigation, Shannon Erne Waterway, Royal Canal, Grand Canal, Barrow Navigation, Erne System and the Lower Bann Navigation and the Ulster Canal.
Waterways Ireland has not requested any extension of its remit to include the Newry Canal.
