Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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149. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has reached agreement with traditional canal dwellers and canal recreational users regarding draft proposals to increase the costs to traditional users, either directly or through Waterways Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14000/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Provisions to amend the Canals Act 1986 so as to allow for the subsequent making of bye-laws to regulate boating on the canals and to manage the use of the canals are contained in The Heritage Bill 2016, which passed its 2nd Stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 20 January 2016. As the Deputy will appreciate, the 1988 Canal Bye-Laws have been in force for some 27 years and need to be revised to reflect changes in the use of the canals over the intervening years. The proposed changes would allow Waterways Ireland to make new bye-laws to proactively manage the Royal and Grand Canals, as well as the Barrow Navigation.

I have sought the restoration of the Heritage Bill 2016 to the legislative programme through the Offices of the Government Chief Whip and the Leader of the Seanad. Deputies and Senators will have the opportunity to consider the implications of this Bill as it passes through the various stages of enactment. In regard to the making of bye-laws subsequent to the enactment of the Heritage Bill, I would be pleased to afford interested Deputies and Senators an opportunity to discuss the proposals with me prior to making a final decision on the introduction of the bye-laws.