Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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3. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will encourage a more visual and widespread use of the Royal Canal, support training for boat owners on the way to use the locks, and an extension of mooring between the area of Cross Guns and the basin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9924/15]

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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My question is on the Royal Canal. It seeks to understand how the Minister and her Department could encourage more visual and widespread use of the canal. Could there be some training for boat owners to manage some of the locks and extended mooring between the area of Cross Guns Bridge and the basin?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Waterways Ireland is responsible for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterway system throughout the island, principally for recreational purposes. As a North–South implementation body, it is under the joint remit of my Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland. The Royal Canal is one of the waterways for which Waterways Ireland has responsibility.

I have been assured by Waterways Ireland that it is continually promoting and developing all its waterways, including the Royal Canal, as navigational, recreational and tourist attractions. It is also working closely with the tourism bodies and local authorities in developing the recreational and tourism potential of the waterways. In the case of the Royal Canal, Waterways Ireland is working closely with Fáilte Ireland, the National Roads Authority and a number of local authorities in developing a multi-activity recreational and tourism offering, utilising the existing towpath and waterway infrastructure.

The Deputy referred to training. While Waterways Ireland does not provide training for boat owners, it does provide guidance in the form of guide books, which clearly explain the operation of the locks. Historically, boat handling training and lock operation training were provided by the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland.

I understand that Waterways Ireland currently has no proposals to install additional moorings between Spencer Dock and Cross Guns Bridge due to the lack of uptake to date at the other locations available for extended mooring on the Royal Canal.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Anybody who has been to cities such as Amsterdam and Bruges will have a very good idea of the potential for tourism and living on the canals. Despite what the Minister says, Waterways Ireland is very far removed from that sort of activity on the canals. The Grand Canal has a little more such activity than the Royal Canal. Given the lack of activity on the latter, it is the poor relation.

It was very interesting to meet boat owners. A couple I met can bring their boat from Belturbet along the River Shannon and the Royal Canal into Dublin. They go through Phibsborough via Cross Guns Bridge and into the basin, and they can go back around by the Grand Canal.

I listened to what the Minister said about the answer from Waterways Ireland. It seems it is talking to everybody except those who are actually using the canals. It is missing out on vast potential for the boat owners who use the canal. I want to see the canals being used much more.

An issue arises over access to power, and issues can arise over water.

There is also an issue about the extended mooring permits. If nothing else comes from today, I ask the the Minister to go back to Waterways Ireland to ask it to engage with the boat owners.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I agree absolutely with the Deputy on the potential for tourism on the waterways. It is only two weeks ago that I was able to announce the start of work on another section of the Ulster Canal. It will move now from Belturbet to Castle Saunderson, which is the first part of the route that will go to Clones. Eventually, I hope the route will go the whole way to Lough Neagh, which would bring the whole waterways system together. There is significant potential for tourism. Waterways Ireland has done a great deal of work on the blue ways. Recently, I was in County Leitrim where a new tow path has been developed as a walking route. There is a great opportunity there for tourism in terms of young people being out. That was the good thing about the extension of the Ulster Canal which will go to the scouting centre in Castle Saunderson. It will bring a whole new dimension to the international scouting centre for young people to engage in water-based activities.

I take the Deputy's point about the need to talk to boat owners and users and I will bring it back to Waterways Ireland to ask if it can engage. I am sure it has been talking to many boat owners, but I will go back again and ask it to set up a line of communication so that boat owners can engage with Waterways Ireland. As the Deputy rightly says, we have a tremendous asset and we must build on it.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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That is very important. From speaking to some of the boat owners, it appears there is an issue with the extended mooring permits. If they are for 12 months, the boat will stay in the one place, whereas if they were for shorter periods and the boats had to move, it would create more activity. The Minister referred to tow paths and it is great that they have been opened up, but the tow path from Croke Park to Phibsorough has been closed for nine months now. It has been the slowest progress, if that is not a contradiction in terms. I understand it is supposed to open shortly, but I am not too sure about that one.

There is a need to look at the current by-laws on permits and I understand these come under the Minister's Department. I have a question on the by-laws later but we will probably not get to it. I will receive the written reply. I accept everything the Minister says, but when one walks along the Royal Canal from the North Strand to Pelletstown, there is very little boat activity notwithstanding what Waterways Ireland says. It has a massive centre down in the basin and it may be that all of its energy is directed there. It is missing out on a great deal of potential by not opening up the Royal Canal to use to a greater extent.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy mentioned by-laws. The proposed by-laws are intended to encourage tourism and leisure craft users by supporting the investment that has already been made by Waterways Ireland in the new infrastructure and facilities along the canal. The by-laws were drafted by Waterways Ireland and went out for public consultation and are now at draft stage. My Department and Waterways Ireland are looking at the submissions that were made through the consultation process and it will be coming back to me soon. A commitment was given by my predecessor, Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, to consult with the interested Deputies and Senators and I reaffirm that I will consult with them when the matter comes back to me.