James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the officials from Waterways Ireland and the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland and thank them for their comprehensive presentations. The canals have been a recreational amenity for people for decades and it is important that they are kept open, accessible and usable for everyone. We do not want the introduction of by-laws to result in their closure or a prohibition on boating on them. I have walked large stretches of the Royal Canal as I live in the canal valley close to Abbeyshrule, a village that has received considerable national and international recognition in recent Tidy Towns competitions. The aqueduct in Abbeyshrule is also unique. Many of the bridges over the Royal Canal have been named after directors of the companies which constructed it. People living in the area have been using stretches of the canal for decades and prevented it from becoming a weed filled dyke prior to the commencement of the major reconstruction process.

The canals are part of our marvellous heritage. I compliment RTE on broadcasting a documentary which provided a great insight into the solitude, peacefulness and tranquility of canals as recreational amenities. The canals have been used for years for fishing, boating, canoeing and so forth and are a major rural tourism project. Moreover, they provide a historical link between Dublin and the midlands. The canal from Dublin to Cloondara is 146 km in length.

Construction on it commenced in 1789 and was completed in 1817. Shortly after completion, the development of the railway system signalled the slow death knell of the Royal Canal. We do not want a situation to develop where by-laws will lead to it being closed for a second time. That is what will happen if the very stringent by-laws proposed come into place. We need to return the changes to the canal by-laws document to Waterways Ireland. I intend no disrespect to Ms Livingstone but I am of the view that there is a need for a complete reconsideration of what is proposed. That is my opinion and it reflects the views of many individuals I have met during the course of the debate on this matter.

In the context of the proposed amendments to the by-laws, people were given a very short period in which to make submissions. This matter was sprung on them in early January and the closing date for submissions was in or around the beginning of February. Those who use the canal were not aware of the extent of the problems to which the amendments to the by-laws would give rise. In the context of the section of the canal which runs through the midlands, the proposed five-day rule is going to have a serious impact on local users. If the rule to which I refer is put in place, it will not be possible to navigate the system. This matter should be re-examined and dealt with in a more sympathetic way in the context of how the canal is used. There are many more issues relating to mooring areas along the canal, the development of slipways and harbours, etc., with which we must deal. This entire matter must, therefore, be considered in great detail. Significant funding has been obtained from the Departments of the Environment, Community and Local Government and Transport, Tourism and Sport in respect of the redevelopment of the banks of the Royal Canal, which are used by walkers and others. I want the canal to be developed as a public resource. In that regard, I am of the view that the by-laws - as presented - are going to have a detrimental effect on the future of this fine tourism amenity.

I do not know what level of support I might receive for doing so but I propose that we return the proposed changes to the canal by-laws document to Waterways Ireland in order that they might be reconsidered in their entirety. I am of the view that Waterways Ireland must return to the beginning and reconsider this matter from a very practical point of view. What is proposed is going to lead to the closure of the canal. Local people were the guardians of the canal for generations when it was not in use. Those who use it now are on low incomes, etc., and they will not be in a position to use this facility. This is giving rise to annoyance among them. There is a need to attract public support when one proposes to develop tourism infrastructure.