Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am from Graiguenamanagh, where we have a great relationship with Waterways Ireland although the canal by-laws have caused a great deal of angst and stress in the area. The delegates will know from their submission that the two most important points that arise are the five-day rule, which I believe is completely unworkable because there is no way anybody could have moved his boat in recent months because of flooding on the river, and the need to make a distinction between people who use boats for pleasure at the weekends and those who reside in their boats. From what I can see, the boat owners are not retired millionaires from the Caribbean. They are very concerned about the increases in fees that they might be asked to pay. Waterways Ireland should take cognisance of what the boat users are actually saying. Anybody who takes a boat from Monasterevan to Graiguenamanagh knows it takes approximately three weekends to do so. Therefore, there is no way the five-day rule will be enforceable there.

I understand Waterways Ireland has difficulties and that there are towns that could be considered boat graveyards.

However, there is another area in the submission that did not take cognisance of the fact that there are preferred destinations, particularly along the River Barrow, because boat users tend to congregate in areas where other boat users are located. The witnesses need to take note of that. If one has to move 3 km one way or the other there may not be a place for one to moor. I have much more to say but we welcome the investment by Waterways Ireland.