Mr. ?anna Rowe:

That is at the centre of our thinking for the development of the towpaths. They are shared spaces for walkers, cyclists, families, anglers and boaters. They are a different kettle of fish to a cycle route that is used as a commuter route to get people from A to B. That is not what out towpaths are designed for. In many instances, they are less than the required specification of 3 m wide that is required for a greenway in any event. We also are very conscious of the unique biodiversity and habitat along our towpaths and that is at the centre of our climate action programme and of how we approach the development of the towpaths with our partners in the local authorities and the NTA. The Senator mentioned the threat to the Royal Canal in particular. My colleagues here would not be here - they were the colleagues who saved the Royal Canal from becoming a motorway into the city and in many ways, we grew from the RCAG and the IWAI into an organisation where the State stepped in and said, we need to protect these heritage assets and restore navigation to the Royal Canal. It is funny how it has come full circle.