Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Waterways Ireland is undertaking two public consultation processes at present. The consultation process on the draft corporate plan, to which the Senator refers, will be open until 31 March 2014. The corporate plan, once finalised, will provide the strategic planning framework which will guide Waterways Ireland's operational work programmes over the next three years. The other consultation process relates to proposed by-laws made under the Canals Act. That Act empowers Waterways Ireland to make by-laws for the care, management, maintenance, control, regulation and use of the canals.

Our waterways make a vital contribution to tourism, attracting visitors from around Ireland and from abroad. There are over 14,000 registered boat owners on the seven waterways managed by Waterways Ireland. The proposed by-laws are intended to support the investment already made by Waterways Ireland in new infrastructure and facilities along the canals. They will enhance Waterways Ireland's ability to manage, care for and maintain the canals and to help to develop them as a vibrant recreational and tourist amenity for all waterway users.

There will be new by-laws for the management of house boats and the charging regime will also be modernised. In particular, there will be further provision for the care, management, maintenance, control and regulation of the use of the canals, and moorings on the canals, and their use by the public for recreation and navigation purposes; an amendment to the schedule in the 1988 by-laws relating to tolls and charges, described in the first schedule to the draft amendment by-laws; provision for the care, management, maintenance, control and regulation of the use of the canals and moorings on the canals by houseboats; and a fixed payment notice procedure for alleged offences for breach of the by-laws. The consultation on the draft by-laws which commenced on 6 January is open to the public for a period of 21 working days in accordance with the Canals Act 1986. This public consultation process closes at 3 p.m. on 3 February.

I am informed by Waterways Ireland that the main stakeholders, which include the Inland Waterway Association of Ireland, the Heritage Boat Association, the Royal Canal Amenity Group and the Irish Boat Rental Association, have been contacted individually and invited to meet with the chief executive and the senior management team of Waterways Ireland prior to submitting their consultation responses. At this meeting these groups will be given the opportunity to express their views, opinions and any concerns they may have in relation to the amendments to the by-laws. All current permit holders on the Grand Canal have received individual written notice and have been given the opportunity to respond within the consultation timeframe on an individual basis.

During this public consultation period, anyone, including those who have any concerns on the proposed amendments to the by-laws, should make written submissions to Waterways Ireland during this 21-day consultation period which closes at 3 p.m. on 3 February 2014. The draft by-laws and the draft corporate plan 2014-2016 may be inspected and downloaded from the Waterways Ireland website at waterwaysireland.org. Alternatively, they may be inspected by arrangement by visiting the Waterways Ireland offices and headquarters at Enniskillen. The draft by-laws may also be inspected by arrangement at Waterways Ireland's eastern regional office, Ashtowngate, Dublin 15.

Following completion of the consultation period, Waterways Ireland shall then consider all written responses before finalisation of the approach it intends to take to the new by-laws. From a safety, environmental and best practice point of view, it is appropriate that Waterways Ireland would consider whether the current by-laws are fit for purpose and should be modernised where appropriate. It is also appropriate that it would consult with users before making changes to the by-laws. This is the process which is under way.