Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Canals Act, 1986, (Bye-laws) 1988 set out the tolls and charges for use of the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation.

Waterways Ireland has developed draft amended bye-laws for the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation which propose changes in the charging for moorings in key locations.  The maximum charge under the current bye-laws for use of a boat on the canals for a year and for an extended mooring for a year is €278.

The proposed new bye-laws provide for the management of house boats, extended moorings and residential moorings.  They will also modernise the charging regime which has remained unchanged for almost a quarter of a century.

My Department is currently progressing within the Heritage Bill 2016 amendments to 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.  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.  Once this is complete, Waterways Ireland will bring forward the proposed bye-laws for consideration.