Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her reply. Another point she heard raised at the meeting organised by the Monasterevin blueway group, one that was also raised at the meeting we held afterwards in Athy at which there was an equally impressive crowd and energy, as was the case at gatherings in Rathangan previously, were concerns from local landowners. These are challenges that must be worked through with the development of every blueway and greenway that traverses private land. Points were made on drainage issues and roads and local bridges that might need maintenance. Mr John Boyle of Waterways Ireland went into detail on navigation of the channel. Engagement on ongoing maintenance will be very important after we obtain the funding and construction starts. We will need a proper mechanism for engagement. Will the Minister outline how this will work? Will it be the responsibility of Waterways Ireland or the local authority? Who will be the go-to person for people who might have concerns or to bring the issues that we will need to thrash out as it is being developed? There is huge goodwill in Kildare and that is not to be underestimated in any way. Therefore, it is all the more important that when local residents or landowners raise a concern they have an opportunity to be heard. Local landowners know the local challenges better than anybody else and we want to ensure every potential problem that crops up along the way for our tourists, visitors and locals can be addressed in a collaborative way without causing upset.

A good engagement process throughout is really important. Does Waterways Ireland or the local authority have lead responsibility for that?

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