Written answers
Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
Waterways Issues
Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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520. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government to outline, in light of concerns for individuals and businesses who use and operate on inland waterways, the progress made in relation to Waterways Ireland byelaws for the inland waterways; and if he will provide an update on these byelaws. [37424/25]
Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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523. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will provide on update on the new proposed River Shannon, Grand and Royal Canal and Barrow Navigation bye-laws; if Waterways Ireland has provided any update in relation to fees and charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37445/25]
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 520 and 523 together.
Waterways Ireland proposes 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 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 valuable recreational experience for everyone to enjoy.
Waterways Ireland undertook an extensive public consultation over two periods totalling 178 days between June 2023 and February 2024 on the proposed revisions to the Bye-laws.
More than 4,000 invitations to participate were sent to interested groups, public representatives, statutory bodies and the general public. Waterways Ireland held 10 public consultation meetings, facilitated 27 stakeholder meetings and received 1,799 submissions to its consultation. Waterways Ireland also addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage on two occasions and the Public Accounts Committee on one occasion where the draft Bye-laws were discussed.
Having considered all contributions to the consultation, Waterways Ireland provided an initial draft of proposed revisions to the Bye-laws to my Department for consideration. Whilst acknowledging the comprehensive consultation undertaken, the dedication and effort that went into developing the proposals and the underlying imperative for the bye-laws to be updated, I requested that Waterways Ireland reflect further on the proposed fees and charges in light of inflationary and cost-of-living pressures on people day-to-day, and similar cost and pricing pressures in the leisure and tourism sectors.
Waterways Ireland has carefully considered its draft proposals in relation to fees and charges and I am pleased to say, has submitted a further revised draft of the Byelaws to my Department for detailed consideration and legal review. The outcome of this review will inform the next steps to be taken.
It is important to note that no changes can be made to the existing Byelaws, permits, or charges and fees until the legislative process associated with the formal adoption and signing of the Byelaws has concluded.
Comments
Luis Gomezcala
Posted on 18 Jul 2025 3:48 pm (Report this comment)
Waterways Ireland has provided no updates regarding the proposed bye-laws, meanwhile Ireland’s canals are increasingly affected by critically low water levels, invasive aquatic weeds, chained lock gates, and failing infrastructure such as water taps and pump-out facilities. These issues are severely disrupting navigation and threatening liveaboard families and the ecosystem. When these concerns are raised with the Minister, the response is invariably a repeated, generic statement that fails to address the issues and shows disregard for both the questioner and the wider public
Alistair Morrish
Posted on 21 Jul 2025 8:39 am (Report this comment)
Waterways Ireland acts like a petulant child that refuses to carry out its mandated functions because its bye-laws have not yet been adopted. They seemingly resent the push back from the boaters, particularly the liveaboard communities that reside on the canals. But it must be borne in mind, this community was not consulted before any draft bye-laws were written. Any competent authority should know that laws are written for the people, not the authority. Unless there is a real attempt to develop the canals for boaters there will not be the tourism and associated benefits. People can walk and cycle and fish elsewhere, boaters cannot.
The infrastructure must be developed. A boater who moors on the canal whether a weekender or a liveaboard, requires access to water and ablutions. The moorings should be thought of as watery caravan parks. We understand that the canals were commercial transportation links, but like the rail links have changed to commuter links, the canals must change to tourist links. While other cities and countries have embraced these opportunities and have thriving communities and bustling tourists along their canals, Waterways Ireland have chosen to denigrate and malign the very boats that would achieve the same. We are termed illegal liveaboards. This demonisation of our community sets us at odds with other people and organizations. We do not require legislation to make us lawful. People have been living on boats since there were boats. We merely require recognition as such and basic facilities that help our lifestyle, not deny it.
Alessandra Cesari
Posted on 14 Jul 2025 9:45 am (Report this comment)
The fact that the byelaws are 30 years old is not, in itself, a valid reason for change—otherwise, all longstanding laws would require revision regardless of effectiveness.
More importantly, Waterways Ireland has not published a final draft of the proposed byelaws following Phase 2 of consultation, which closed in February 2024 1. Despite claims of “extensive consultation,” the final version has not been resubmitted for public review, and therefore, the democratic process has not been fully followed.
If the Minister signs these byelaws without public consultation on the final draft, it would undermine transparency and stakeholder engagement. It would be more appropriate for Waterways Ireland to restart the process, involving all stakeholders in a clear and inclusive manner.