§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made on the Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow navigation by Waterways Ireland; when they will be completed; what will be the cost; and what are the benefits for United Kingdom taxpayers. [HL521]
§ Lord Williams of MostynWaterways Ireland continues to develop the Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow navigation as a multi-purpose amenity and recreation resource offering facilities for navigation, angling, walking, canoeing and other activities for the benefit of the general public.
The Grand Canal is open to navigation. Waterways Ireland's current capital works programme includes embankment strengthening, bank protection measures, repairs to structures, dredging to improve navigable depth and installation of landing jetties above and below locks with associated landscaping.
238WAThe Barrow navigation is also open to navigation. Waterways Ireland's current capital works programme includes dredging to improve navigable depth on the lateral canals and river navigation plus the installation of landing jetties and repairs to structures.
The Royal Canal, which was closed to navigation in 1960, has undergone a phased restoration programme since 1987 and 70 miles of the 90-mile long canal are now open to navigation.
Waterways Ireland's current capital works programme includes lock gate installation, bog embankment repairs, bridge construction, sourcing additional water supplies and installation of larding jetties.
Funding for capital works for the Grand Canal, the Royal Canal and the Barrow navigation is provided by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan (2000–06) and the amount allocated under this plan was 20 million euros in 1999 terms.
There are many benefits to the United Kingdom taxpayer. One of the most significant is the fact that the headquarters for Waterways Ireland is located in Enniskillen and when fully staffed will employ some 70 people.