Written answers
Wednesday, 4 October 2023
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
Waterways Issues
Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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131. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of houseboats currently moored on the Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow navigation; if, in the event the revisions currently proposed to the canals by-laws by Waterways Ireland are adopted, he will outline the projected number of houseboats that will be permitted to moor on these canals; the projected number of current houseboat residents who will lose their homes; the contingency plans that have been made to provide housing for any existing houseboat residents rendered homeless under the new canal by-laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42858/23]
Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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132. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the current mooring fees levied on houseboats moored on the Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow navigation under the existing canals by-laws; if he will outline, in the event that the revisions currently proposed to the canals by-laws by Waterways Ireland are adopted, the mooring or houseboat permit fees that will be levied on houseboats; the percentage increase which this represents in mooring fees for individual houseboats; the justification for the introduction of such an unprecedented increase in fees under the new canal by-laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42859/23]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together.
Waterways Ireland is proposing to update the Shannon Bye-laws and Canal Bye-laws which are more than 30 years old. The needs of users have changed, environmental landscape and health and safety considerations have developed significantly and the waterways themselves have been transformed over these decades. There is an open public consultation on the proposed changes, and all submissions made to that consultation will be considered in framing any future changes to the bye-laws, including in respect of houseboat permits and associated standards. Information on how to make a submissions is available on the Waterways Ireland website at waterwaysireland.org.
The information requested, in respect of the number of houseboats and the fees levied for mooring on the Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow Navigation, is not held in my Department, however arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost-effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for Waterways Ireland is: ceoffice@waterwaysireland.org.
Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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133. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will consider commissioning a new consultation process in line with the Government’s Guide for Inclusive Community Engagement in Local Planning and Decision Making regarding Waterway Ireland’s proposed revisions to the canals by-laws, in light of the profound and highly disruptive changes which these revisions will effect to the housing security of existing houseboat dwellers, ranging from exponential increases in mooring and-or houseboat permit fees to eviction and homelessness on the Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow navigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42860/23]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Waterways Ireland is proposing to update the Shannon Bye-laws and Canal Bye-laws which are more than 30 years old and no longer fit for purpose. The needs of users have changed, environmental landscape and health and safety considerations have developed significantly and the waterways themselves have been transformed over the past thirty years. The purpose of updating the Bye-laws is to make the waterways safer for those using the waterways, blueways and greenways, and continue to provide a wonderful recreational experience for everyone to enjoy.
A public consultation on draft revisions to the Bye-laws commenced on 19 June 2023 and remains open for submissions. I understand that Waterways Ireland has agreed to extend the consultation closing date to facilitate greater public engagement, and that an announcement will be made so that effect shortly.
The consultation has been advertised widely in the national and local press, across social media channels and online. Eight open public consultation Information events have been held along the waterways. A series of webinars has been held for all elected members of relevant local authorities, the Dáil and Seanad Éireann. Waterways Ireland also held on-line meetings with stakeholders including the Inland Waterways Association Ireland (IWAI), Irish Boat Rental Association (IBRA), Royal Canal Amenity Group (RCAG), Heritage Boat Association (HBA) and others.
The public can learn about the proposed changes and participate in the public consultation in the following ways:
1. Via the Waterways Ireland websitewww.waterwaysireland.orgwhere the draft Bye-laws and the explanatory notes are available to download.
2. By visiting a public library where copies of the draft Byelaws and explanatory notes are available for review.
The public and interested parties can also make a submission on the draft Bye-laws in the following ways:
- by online survey using the link on the Waterways Ireland website,
- by email to corporate@waterwaysireland.organd/or
- by post to the Inspector of Navigation, The Docks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.
Following completion of the public consultation, Waterways Ireland will publish the details of all submissions received, including a report on the consultation, on its website and will consider and review all submissions received in making changes and amendments to the draft Bye-laws as appropriate.
The Principles and Guidelines as devised by the Department of Public Enterprise and Reform in 2016 have been followed by Waterways Ireland in respect of the Public Consultation process for the review of the Byelaws.
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