Mr. Liam Finnegan:

The period allowed is very short and I thank Deputy Flaherty for getting it onto the agenda. There is much more to this and we need time. However, Leitrim County Council called on Waterways Ireland and the Minister of State, Deputy Noonan, to carry out a public consultation in line with the January 2019 Government guidelines before considering the introduction of the new by-laws for the Shannon catchment area. The by-laws reduce mooring times from five days to three, remove winter moorings and impose a tax on all businesses operating on the River Shannon, all of which put the upper Shannon region and its waterways at a disadvantage in attracting boaters and visitors alike. These by-laws will reduce both overnight stays and visitors and will have a detrimental effect on all towns. They are talking about the consultation. There is a lot there from Leitrim County Council. I believe Longford County Council is following suit and Offaly County Council has done. It will be interesting to see. It is more than just a consultation, there is a lot in there.