Rebecca Moynihan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I apologise if I ask some questions that seem blatantly obvious but I just want to get some context and a grounding. I grew up alongside the Grand Canal. One of the best things that has happened in Dublin in recent years has been the Royal Canal cycleway which provides enjoyment in the summer particularly of that Royal Canal. That cycleway has been transformed from East Wall onwards. My part of the Grand Canal has not had that same treatment. I am from Rialto-Dolphin's Barn. From Portobello it is very much for leisure but on our side, it is not. More investment is needed to connect it to Bluebell and beyond. Two years ago, I took the opportunity of my honeymoon to cycle from Mullingar back to Dublin. It can be a fantastic amenity for people.

I want to focus on whether a strategy has been developed for the use of the canals to go alongside the revision in these by-laws. I understand the by-laws have not been updated for 35 years, but it is important to place them in the context of the use of the canals. For example, are they for providing housing or are they for recreation and leisure? I would like to get an idea of the strategy behind that.

Regarding the analysis of the capacity, Mr. Rowe has said that Waterways Ireland will try to locate it where there are existing houseboat communities. Has an analysis of the capacity of each of the canals and the Shannon been done? Where is that landing? How does that compare with current licences that are granted? Is there a mismatch between them? How many additional licences is it envisaged will be granted in the next year, five years and ten years? Will there be separate treatment of commercial activity as opposed to leisure activity?

Will the licences be tied to a person or tied to a boat? Will there be any limitations on the number of licences each individual may apply for? For example, a commercial cruising company might have 20 licences. Will that be tied to each of the individual boats or will it be tied to a person? What is the legal situation where people might want to sublet? For example, if somebody has been living on a houseboat and has had a licence to live there for the past 20 years, may he or she sublet that houseboat?