Proposed changes to River Shannon, Grand and Royal Canal and Barrow Navigation byelaws are due to be discussed today (Tuesday, April 14) by the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The committee will meet twice in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House, Dublin.
The first meeting at 3 pm will hear from officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and representatives from Waterways Ireland.
The second meeting at 6 pm will hear from representatives from the Irish Residential Boat Owners’ Association, the Irish Marina Owners’ Association and the Shannon Lakes and Rivers Group.
Committee Cathaoirleach Micheál Carrigy said that “the engagement relates to the modernising of the byelaws for the River Shannon, Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow Navigation to replace the existing rules with a more coherent framework”.
It is hoped this framework would improve safety, environmental protection and waterway management, he said.
“These changes follow a two‑phase public consultation that received over 900 submissions. The committee looks forward to hearing the views of our stakeholders on the proposed byelaws and related matters,” he said.
The Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has 14 members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.
Both meetings in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
