Mr. Patrick Harkin:

There is obviously quite a bit of activity in Castleknock. A lot of boats have built up there, where there were never any facilities. For example, there is no pump-out service there. There was a pump-out service at one time but it is not there now because it went through a hotel that is closed. It is out of our hands. There is a sewage and water quality issue there as well. This is the issue Waterways Ireland has inherited. Houseboat communities have built up in areas where we do not currently have facilities. That is why we have come up with the investment programme and need the new by-laws.

When the new by-laws are in place, we will be able to issue houseboat permits and we will have an investment strategy. Castleknock is included in the investment strategy. We will look for planning permission. I am sure there are residents in houses in Castleknock who may not be as keen on houseboats as houseboat people are. We have to balance that as well. In future, we will look for planning permission in Castleknock for fully serviced houseboat jetties with pump-out, sewerage, water, electricity and refuse facilities. We are not there yet.

We cannot be everywhere and we cannot put in services everywhere that small communities spring up. We have a community that has sprung up in Castleknock. It is very difficult for us. We are playing catch-up with communities that are springing up along our canals.