David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I will. I have it. The Minister is of the view these amendments are unnecessary. However, the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, IWAI, can provide evidence that in recent times marine notices are occasionally issued after closures have taken effect. There is not much point in sending out a notice stating something will be done when the thing has already been done. This is the actual historical fact. In the past, marine notices have been sent out after a closure has taken place. Many notices are occasionally issued after closures have taken effect and works commenced. There have also been occasions where water level management has not taken into consideration the needs of boat owners. This is a serious point. Alterations, notices and all the rest need to be given to people with boats on the water so they can then take the necessary action to protect their boats from damage, either by moving them to a different location on the canal or doing whatever is necessary. It would risk serious damage to vessels if levels drop from underneath moored boats, grounding the boats, putting pressure on mooring lines and risking boats taking on water and sinking. At a meeting between the IWAI and Waterways Ireland management, Waterways Ireland assured the IWAI that procedures would be put in place to ensure situations such as that which I described would not happen again. However, the facts demonstrate, and I have written evidence to this effect, that the situation has occurred again since the meeting took place, and I will give the House the specific locations and dates. It happened in Lowtown on the Grand Canal in late October 2016, and in Robertstown on the Grand Canal in March 2017. It actually is a real situation on the ground that has happened. This could be cured by my amendment so I urge the Minister to take account of it.