Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of progress that has been made in relation to the reopening of the Royal Canal to full navigability and the stretch of canal leading from Abbeyshrule towards the Shannon; the amount of money which is allocated for the completion of the navigability project; if he has satisfied himself that same is adequate to carry out the necessary work; and timescale for the completion of the said works. [21829/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The issue raised by the Deputy, in relation to the works on the Royal Canal is the day-to-day responsibility of the North-South body, Waterways Ireland.

I understand from Waterways Ireland that the Royal Canal is open to navigation between Dublin and Abbeyshrule, County Longford, a distance of 70 miles. Work on the restoration of the remaining 20 miles is in progress with a view to reopening the navigation in early 2008.

I have provided for an allocation of €11 million per annum up to 2007 to Waterways Ireland to cover capital works in the South under my Department's capital programme. I am satisfied that there is sufficient funding within this allocation to allow Waterways Ireland to complete the programme of reopening the Royal Canal to the Shannon.