Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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429. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 354 of 10 June 2014, pertaining to the proposed Waterways Ireland canal by-laws, when she proposes to make a final decision on the proposed new by-laws; if she will ensure that such proposals are not restrictive and punitive for users of the waterways and that user concerns and submissions are taken cognisance of in his final decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31179/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Waterways Ireland is continuing its work on finalising its proposals in relation to the proposed new by-laws, This includes taking into account the submissions received in the course of the statutory public consultation exercise undertaken earlier this year. When the draft by-laws are finalised and formally submitted to my Department by Waterways Ireland, they will then be referred to me, as Minister, with recommendations for consideration and final decision.

I know the Deputy will agree that it is important that sufficient time is given to review and examine the draft by-laws at each stage of the process. Neither I nor my predecessor set any deadline in relation to that work, preferring instead to give the process whatever time is required to devise the best possible set of arrangements. In line with the commitment given during a debate in Seanad Éireann on Wednesday 26 February 2014, I will afford interested Deputies and Senators an opportunity to discuss the proposals with me prior to making a final decision on the draft by-laws.