Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the reason public berths recently taken in charge by Waterways Ireland at Leitrim village from a local development company (details supplied) has not been patrolled by officers representing Waterways Ireland; the reason a boat, sunk since January 2010 has not been recovered and removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13640/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by Waterways Ireland that all of the works on the proposed public jetty at Leitrim village have not yet been completed by the developer to the satisfaction of Waterways Ireland. I understand that this has been the case for some time and there has been ongoing correspondence between the legal representatives for Waterways Ireland and the developer in an attempt to move matters to a resolution. Waterways Ireland has continued to follow up on this list of outstanding matters but to date have been unable to have these matters resolved.

I understand that Waterways Ireland did not at any stage take control of the jetty and, until the list of outstanding works has been completed, the jetty is deemed a private development in the ownership of the developer and is not the responsibility of Waterways Ireland. When all the works have been completed by the developer to the satisfaction of Waterways Ireland, it is intended that the jetty shall be transferred to Waterways Ireland for use as a public jetty and the Shannon Navigation Bye-laws shall be implemented in its management.

I am advised that the boat which sank at this jetty is the responsibility of the developer, who has management responsibility for the jetty. When Waterways Ireland was made aware of the situation on 17th December 2010, it made every effort to contact the registered owner of the boat. I understand that the boat is now afloat alongside the jetty.