Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Humphreys. In fact, I received a letter here from Mr. Shane Cusack, a resident of one of the boats in the dock who is very concerned. He writes that he is a resident of the Grand Canal Dock marina in Dublin, that he has huge concerns over the Heritage Bill being passed tonight in the Seanad, that he, along with other residents, believes the Canals Act section of the Bill has the potential to make homeless several people living in houseboats in Grand Canal Dock. He writes that they believe the Heritage Bill needs more time to be considered because of the powers conferred on Waterways Ireland through the Bill and asks that I consider abstaining from voting this evening to give the residents of Grand Canal Dock more time to negotiate for their homes and, it is hoped, prevent more homelessness occurring in Dublin city.

Has the Minister met the residents on the canal boats in the dock? I refer to one resident. I do not know what impact this may have on other boat communities around Ireland. I am aware there are such communities in Graiguenamanagh and elsewhere around the country. I am quite concerned because if there are families who have their permanent residence on the boats and there is a chance of them being displaced or being made homeless, as Mr. Cusack states in his letter, then some discussion needs to take place before we pass this Bill here this evening. Has the Minister met the residents and heard their concerns?