Calls for weeds on Kildare's canals to be cut 'on a timely basis'

The matter of weeds growing on Kildare's canals was raised in the council recently, when a Fianna Fáil councillor called for Clane Maynooth's canals to be cut “on a timely basis” and not left overgrown.

Cllr Daragh Fitzpatrick – speaking at September's Clane Maynooth Municipal District meeting - said he put his motion forward “with a sense of frustration”, because he had been receiving numerous representations complaining about the weeds on the canals.

He admitted he was unsure as to how to pursue the matter, and that he had contacted Waterways Ireland on several occasions but to no avail.

Eventually, he said, he found a number for a contact, but this too proved unsuccessful.

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Cllr Fitzpatrick said that he personally found there appeared to be a communication “barrier” between Waterways Ireland and councillors, which he said was totally unnecessary.

It was becoming more and more important to have avenues of communication open between the two, he said, with blueways and greenways now opening up across the county.

He said that he wasn't sure whether Waterways Ireland “got wind” of his pending motion, but last Friday there were a number of people in Robertstown cutting weeds along the canal.

The issue was now sorted, he said, but there had been an issue in Robertstown where boats could not leave the canal due to overgrown weeds.

Cllr Fitzpatrick said he appreciated that the council was limited in its powers with regard to canals, but he put forward his motion to highlight the issue and get some kind of response from Waterways Ireland to see if there was any line of communication which could be opened up in the future.

Supporting the motion, Cathaoirleach Cllr Brendan Wyse (FG) said that depending what section of the canal was being addressed, there is a webform to complete online.

However, he agreed, it would be useful to have some form of formal engagement between Waterways Ireland and the council.

A report issued by Kildare County Council stated: “The responsibility for the management and maintenance of the canal system lies with Waterways Ireland.

“The Council’s drainage maintenance programme is responsible for drainage districts within the County and has no role in the maintenance of canals.

“Maintenance of the canals is a matter for Waterways Ireland. Any queries around maintenance would need to be raised directly with them.”