Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

As one of the sponsoring Ministers, I have encouraged Waterways Ireland to look at waterways in an holistic fashion, including their development for the purposes of walking and recreation. A plan is currently in place in Dublin in which many of the statutory agencies, including Dublin City Council, are involved to develop the amenity value of the canals as far as the city boundary. Much of the usage of the canals is not for boats but for ancillary, and equally valid, activities.

I cannot provide an answer as to why certain sections may have been developed further than others. The general encouragement from me as Minister is that they should be utilised as far as possible. In addition, Waterways Ireland is in possession of dry canals. One way of maintaining the rights of way attaching to them is to use them for rural recreation, including walking. I am interested in any specific proposals the Minister may have in this area. I would also like to see partnerships between communities so that a linkage can be developed between different walkways.

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