Written answers

Tuesday, 27 June 2006

Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Inland Waterways

11:00 pm

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 359: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the main problems along the Longford branch of the Royal Canal are the two culverted road crossings beside Knockanboy and Churchlands bridges; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the estimated cost of replacing these with high level bridges is in the order of €2 million per bridge; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this is the main stumbling block and the reason given by Waterways Ireland for their being unable to undertake the work for a number of years to come; if in this context, he will ensure that the necessary finance is made available to carry out this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24331/06]

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 360: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in context of section 4 of the Water Corridor Study, covering the Upper Shannon and the Royal Canal, from the River Shannon to Thomastown, his attention has been drawn to the fact that the same points out that Longford Town does not benefit from its proximity to the Shannon and in order to do so requires the restoration of the Longford branch of the Royal Canal; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the report emphasises that the harbour in Longford Market Square presents an opportunity for the development of a new destination for Shannon based cruisers, within just one days travel from the river; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that Waterways Ireland, has let it be known that following full restoration of the main line of the canal, it is not their intention in the foreseeable future to allocate further capital funds to the restoration of the Longford branch; his views on whether this is a disappointment for those in Longford Town who worked hard over the past 11 years in collaboration with FÁS to improve the condition of the line; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this represents a disappointment for Longford Town Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24374/06]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, Waterways Ireland is one of the six North / South Implementation Bodies established in 1999 under the British-Irish Agreement Act. It has responsibility for the management, maintenance and development of inland waterways, principally for recreational purposes.

The restoration of the Longford Branch of the Royal Canal is not in the current National Development Plan and Waterways Ireland informs me that it has no plans at present to undertake restoration works of the Longford Branch.

The question of restoring the Branch will be kept under review in the context of future programmes of capital works on the canal network and in the light of availability of resources to Waterways Ireland.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.