Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Brendan Smith mentioned Lough Erne and some of the other works he would like carried out. Waterways Ireland officials met the chief executive officer of Cavan County Council and its elected representatives in 2017 and earlier this year in the context of the Ulster Canal advisory forum.

I note the comments of Deputies Ó Snodaigh and Burton on pollution. I can come back to them with a full report, which I do not have to hand. One of Waterways Ireland's main priorities is the maintenance of canals and delivering a prioritised management and maintenance programme for the waterways concentrating available resources on their greatest area of use and benefit. It also wants to increase the use of inland navigations creating and promoting recreational opportunities for local communities and visitors, and delivering economic, social and health benefits. I can come back to Deputy Ó Snodaigh regarding the moorings at Harold's Cross.

In response to Deputy Burton's point about residents and their views, public consultations are usually undertaken, but I can certainly bring back the Deputy's concerns to Waterways Ireland.

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