Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 395: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the level of progress being made in refurbishing and upgrading works to the Royal Canal from Abbeyshrule down to Clondra; the timeframe involved for the completion of such works; if adequate finance has been provided to ensure that same will be completed by the end of 2006 as promised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8968/06]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 396: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if Waterways Ireland has received an application for six additional outdoor staff in the general Westmeath area, to enable it to ensure that it meets its deadlines concerning the works necessary to restore the Royal Canal to full navigability; if, in this context, there is only permission to employ one additional person with an indication, that if additional personnel are required or additional works are necessary, private contractors should be considered for same; if this is the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8970/06]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 395 and 396 together.

The issues raised by the Deputy are the day-to-day responsibility of the North-South body, Waterways Ireland, an implementation body established under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999 and co-sponsored by my Department and the Department of Culture Arts, and Leisure in the North.

I understand from Waterways Ireland that the third and final phase of the Royal Canal restoration programme is under way. Waterways Ireland expects the Royal Canal to be fully navigable in 2008 and is satisfied that adequate capital funding is available to fully restore the canal. I understand that in the eastern region Royal Canal rural area, which includes County Westmeath, there is one vacancy in the approved staffing structure which will be filled on a full-time basis. The employment of contractors to meet specific needs arising is an operational matter for Waterways Ireland and my Department is not involved.