Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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198. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her Department either directly or through Waterways Ireland have reached agreement with traditional canal dwellers and canal recreational users with regard to draft proposals to increase the costs to traditional users; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20126/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As I stated in my reply to Question No. 149 from the Deputy on 1 June 2016, provisions to amend the Canals Act 1986 in order 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. 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.

The Heritage Bill 2016 passed its Second Stage reading in Seanad Éireann on 20 January 2016 and is included in the Government Legislation Programme which was published on 8 June 2016. I have requested that this Bill would proceed to the Committee Stage in the Seanad as soon as possible.

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.