Mr. Éanna Rowe:

I thank the Deputy for his questions. Since 9 May 2024, we have had to remove more than 330 tents. In fact, today we removed another 30 tents from the Grand Canal. It is a very unfortunate situation that we find ourselves in, but paramount to us in Waterways Ireland is the health and safety of those who have unfortunately ended up rough sleeping. The tragic events of last Saturday have brought into focus how dangerous it is to have tented encampments along water. The erection of fencing is a direct result of our determination and risk assessments regarding having tented encampments along the canals.

We have spent upwards of €145,000 to date on the clearing of those more than 360 tents and the erection of fencing. We have undertaken an options exercise on the fencing. The option we are looking at is the acceleration of plans we already had in place with Dublin City Council around animation and activation of stretches of the canals, particularly the Grand Canal. That will not alleviate the situation but may take some of the pressure off it in that if more people use the canals, the towpaths along them, and the amenity that is the canals, then the likelihood of tented encampments may reduce. We are also looking at the introduction of various biodiversity measures as part of that same programme, landscaping, and more street furniture, such as seating, sculptures, etc. Unfortunately, however, fencing will have to remain in those areas that we find tented encampments springing up on. It is there to protect those people in the tented encampments.