Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the work which has been carried out by Waterways Ireland to date in 2009 on the section of the Grand Canal within the Dublin City Council area; the plans for the maintenance works in the remainder of 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41808/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, Waterways Ireland is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance, operation and cleaning of the Grand Canal within the Dublin City Council area. In general, this comprises - the ongoing work of litter removal, - grass cutting and channel weed cutting in order to keep the channel open

for navigation, - maintaining the towpaths in condition for walkers and other users, and - managing the flow of water through the locks to its discharge into the

River Liffey.

Additionally in 2009, an extensive programme of maintenance works were completed which included: - Repairs to damaged lock gates at Ringsend and along the Circular Line; - Cobblestone surfacing, and cable and roadway repairs at the slipway at

Ringsend; - Structural repairs to the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre, as well as

repairs to the boardwalk and area around the visitor centre, including new

bollards; - Weed spraying in the channel along the entire length of the Circular Line; - Painting of all lock gates on the Circular Line; - Spot dredging at Charlemont Street, Baggot Street and Grand Canal

Street; - Removal of dredged material and topsoil; - Levelling and bank repairs at Charlemont Street; - Installation of a new 3-phase electricity supply at Charlemont Place; - Jetty and bridge repairs along the Circular Line, including rebuilding of

wing wall at Mount Street; - Completion of towpath re-surfacing along a 1.5km length from the 1st to

the 3rd Lock on the Main Line, in conjunction with the Railway

Procurement Authority; - Maintenance of trees along canal banks pre-March and post-August; - Commencement of a dredging contract for the Circular Line in early

November 2009; and - An ongoing joint contract with local authorities to upgrade Inchicore to

Lucan towpath to a shared cycle / pedestrian route.

Other planned works on the Grand Canal within the Dublin City Council area to be completed in 2009 include: - Provision of a new water tap at Charlemont Place; - Dredging of the Canal from Grand Canal Street to Baggot Street; - Continuation of the towpath contract from Inchicore to Lucan; - Commencement of a wall strengthening contract for the dock walls in

Ringsend, Charlotte Quay; - Strengthening of the jetty deck system at Ocean Bar in Ringsend; and - Localised works to lock gates and bridges as identified.

Peter Kelly (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 349: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the restoration of the Royal Canal from the Dublin Docklands to the River Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41809/09]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by Waterways Ireland that the restoration of the Royal Canal from the Dublin Docklands to the Shannon is ongoing. At this time, it is envisaged that the works involved may be substantially complete by Autumn 2010. However, a number of outstanding infrastructural issues remain to be addressed, including the securing of a sustainable water supply, which will determine the final opening date.