Mr. ?anna Rowe:

I will try to answer as many of those questions as I can within the time I have left. If I do not get to them, we can certainly pick up again on them. I can confirm that we have development plans for our waterways and we are currently updating some of those development plans. Some of them are quite a few years old.

Regarding the use of our canal towpaths for cycleways and greenways, we are working hand in glove with our colleagues in the local authorities and with organisations such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, and others to ensure we can continue to build on the success of the Royal Canal greenway. The Royal Canal greenway currently stops at Maynooth but we are working with our colleagues to get it all the way into the city centre. We have ambitious plans for where the two greenways will meet in Grand Canal Basin. I can see Senator Fitzpatrick nodding because she is well aware of that. We are also looking at how we can encourage the mix of use between commercial, leisure and recreation which Senator Moynihan mentioned. Through-navigation is crucial so that people can get from point A to point B and also supporting the live-aboard communities. When we are looking at the development of all of our waterways, particularly the waterways in Dublin, we are taking on board those four areas.

The Senator asked who will hold a commercial licence. The commercial licence will be issued to the person, the company or whatever it is. The houseboat permit will also be to the person but will be non-transferable. Therefore, someone with a houseboat will not be able to sublet.