Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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823. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the cleaning of the canal by Ross Castle, Killarney, County Kerry into the lake (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29812/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is progressing this matter and will proceed with all the required investigative works prior to the award of contract. It has engaged locally with representatives of the relevant stakeholders and positive discussions about the issues have taken place. The scale of the works are significant, and made more complex by the site location being within a designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

The NPWS will be clearing the Bunrower end of the canal. A screening assessment will be carried out as required and the NPWS has confirmed that it will continue to engage with the representatives of the stakeholders on progress.

Last year, the NPWS maintained an open channel to the Canal at Ross to allow boat access and will continue to do so. The maintained channel is at the Bunrower end of the canal and allows access throughout the year both ways from Lough Leane and from the canal.