Dáil debates

Thursday, 17 April 2014

Other Questions

Inland Waterways By-laws

10:20 am

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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10. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which he has received any communication from Waterways Ireland arising from its proposals to dramatically increase charges for canal dwellers and canal users with particular reference to the Grand and Royal Canals; if he has given any indication to that body or received any response to the groundswell of opinion submitted to his Department from canal users with a view to ameliorating measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18045/14]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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142. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he is aware of continued disquiet among Royal and Grand Canal boat dwellers who are likely to be affected by the proposed new by-laws; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such dwellers agree with the need for regulation but are concerned at the extent to which their way of life for many years is likely to be affected; the extent to which he continues to have discussions with Waterways Ireland in this regard or will do so in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18410/14]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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144. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he has had further discussions with canal users and dwellers affected by the proposed draft regulations affecting the use of the canals; if he expects to be in a position to offer any measures to accommodate the concerns expressed by traditional canal users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18412/14]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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These questions relate to the ongoing dialogue with canal users and canal dwellers in respect of the draft by-laws, which would have a very negative impact in terms of cost for canal users. I seek to ascertain the current position regarding the submissions that were made to the Minister and Waterways Ireland within the specified period.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 142 and 144 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, Waterways Ireland undertook a statutory consultation on the proposed by-laws governing the Grand Canal, the Royal Canal and the Barrow navigation which concluded on 3 February last. In line with relevant legislation, Waterways Ireland sought my consent prior to proceeding to consultation on the proposed changes to the by-laws. In addition to the public consultation, views regarding the proposed changes to the by-laws have been raised with my office through correspondence, representations and submissions. These views have been conveyed to Waterways Ireland.

I welcome the assertion by the Deputy that there is general acceptance of the need for regulation of the use of the canals. The proposed by-laws are intended to support the investment already made by Waterways Ireland in new infrastructure and facilities along the canals. They will enhance Waterways Ireland’s ability to manage, care for and maintain the canals and to help to develop them as a vibrant recreational and tourist amenity for all waterway users, including those that use the canals for residential purposes, and will help create and develop the canals into a waterways system that is modern and fit for purpose.

While some of the increases in charges originally proposed are quite substantial, other proposed increases are quite modest. For example, while it is proposed to increase the cost of an extended mooring permit in the Grand Canal Dock in Dublin from €152 per annum to €2,500 per annum, in other locations the proposed increase in the cost of an extended mooring permit is from €152 per annum to €160 per annum.

Our waterways make a vital contribution to tourism, attracting visitors from around Ireland and from abroad. There are over 14,000 registered boat owners on the seven waterways managed by Waterways Ireland. I understand that there were over 2,000 submissions made directly to Waterways Ireland in the course of the public consultation process. Waterways Ireland is giving full and careful consideration to all of these submissions and is drafting a report on the issues raised and on possible approaches it might take in response. When the report is concluded, it will be submitted to my Department and will then be referred to me, with recommendations for consideration and final decision. As I indicated previously, I will afford interested Deputies and Senators an opportunity to discuss the proposals with me prior to making the final decision.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Further to the Minister's reply, when does he expect to receive the response from Waterways Ireland to the submissions that were made? Is it understood that the review will give some indication of a revision of the more punitive costs proposed in the draft regulations? Furthermore, is the Minister aware that some aspects of the draft regulations, apart from the costs, would make it virtually impossible for canal dwellers to continue dwelling on the canals and for some recreational users of the canals to remain on the canal system? Will he review that, in view of the traditional use of the canals by users both for recreational and residential purposes?

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I have given a commitment that when I receive the proposals from Waterways Ireland I will consult with Deputies on all sides of the House. It is very important as we are lucky to have 1,000 km of waterways in this country. They are a major resource from a tourism and recreational point of view. Most of these waterways go through the most rural parts of our country, so they bring opportunities to rural areas which are very challenged at this time. That is the reason their regulation is important. On the other hand, the charges for people, especially residents on the waterways, will have to be reasonable. When I receive the proposals I will discuss them with the people who are interfacing with the users on a regular basis, including the local Deputies, to discuss what is reasonable, after which I will determine the by-laws.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his further elucidation in that regard. Is he satisfied that Waterways Ireland is conscious of the consequences if the proposed draft regulations are applied and the extent to which they would discommode the traditional canal users? I emphasise that they are traditional canal users both for residential and recreational purposes. The indications given to us by those users are to the effect that they would have to cease virtually all of their recreational and residential activities, as to continue would involve a huge cost.

10:30 am

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I remind the Deputy that in the very short space of time under legislation in which people had to respond, over 2,000 people made submissions, so obviously there is huge interest in the changes to the by-laws. Waterways Ireland is now considering the submissions it has received. It is a North-South body and is one of the most effective such bodies on this island. It has made huge investment in our waterways, putting in moorings right across the country, bringing life to little places that did not have it in the past. There have been major developments in places like Killaloe-Ballina in County Clare that have changed those villages, as well as in Boyle in County Roscommon. Waterways Ireland is a very efficient and effective cross-Border body.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Be very quick as we are out of time.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his response. I appreciate the valuable work being done by Waterways Ireland. I appreciate its desire to accumulate to invest in the development of the inland waterways, but whereas it is to be complimented on what it is doing in terms of using the waterways and the schedule of charges for tourists that might come into the country, it shows an appalling lack of understanding of the indigenous users - both residential and amenity - of our inland waterways.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I think the point has been made. We are out of time and I have to be fair to other Deputies who have questions. I will move on unless you have something very brief to say.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I understand what the Deputy is saying. We need to have regulation of our waterways and we need to have organisation. It is in everyone's interest, even those of the users there at the moment. We need to have some certainty because our 1,000 km of waterways will be a major factor in the recovery of rural areas in the future.