‘Modernising of waterways byelaws needs to progress’

A Longford Westmeath TD is calling for an update of byelaws governing the waterways around Westmeath that have not changed in 30 years. Waterways Ireland signalled draft changes to the byelaws for the Shannon Navigation, the Grand and Royal Canals and Barrow Navigation three years ago.

Mooring fees, permits, registrations, speed limits and provisions for safety and sustainability on shared public of Ireland’s waterways, blueways and greenways, and the protection of the nature and biodiversity around them are all part of the proposed changes.

Waterways Ireland manages 800km of publicly owned land and waterways along the Grand and Royal Canals, Barrow Navigation, Shannon Navigation and the Shannon-Erne Waterway.

Last week a meeting focused on the modernising of the byelaws for the River Shannon, Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow Navigation heard that there is a need to replace the existing rules with a more coherent framework that improves safety, environmental protection and waterway management.

The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage met twice on April 14, to discuss proposed changes to River Shannon, Grand and Royal Canal and Barrow Navigation byelaws.

Committee cathaoirleach, Deputy Micheál Carrigy, heads up that joint committee, a body comprising of 14 members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad: “The changes follow a two-phase public consultation that received over 900 submissions,” Deputy Carrigy told the Westmeath Examiner.

He said there is a need to move the matter along: “There’s been ongoing work on changes to the byelaws since 2022. It’s important to have engagement for the department and with Waterways Ireland, but also to take on board the views of the people on the other end, the boat owners and people living on the boats along the canals and waterways as well as the marina owners and others affected by the proposed changes.”

The joint committee met with officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and representatives from Waterways Ireland, the Irish Residential Boat Owners Association, the Irish Marina Owners Association and the Shannon Lakes and Rivers Group.

“It’s a vital piece of infrastructure within our area here in the midlands,” Deputy Carrigy said of the waterway network. “It’s something we’re very proud of. We want to maintain it, we want to improve it and to make sure that it’s there for people’s enjoyment, but we want to make sure that there’s an economic spin-off for the region and particularly in the area of Longford Westmeath.”

Deputy Carrigy said the joint committee will look to progress updating the byelaws that have not been changed in 30 years: “Waterways Ireland are doing a fantastic job. I think it’s important to acknowledge that work. We want to continue to see significant investment. I’d like to see progress on the byelaws, and get all stakeholders working together.”