Tipperary waterways users urged to take part in consultations on changes to bylaws

Waterways Ireland has opened the second phase of the public consultation on proposed bylaws changes - inviting members of the public and interested parties to have their say on proposed revisions to the Shannon Navigation and Canal Byelaws, the first changes that will be made in nearly 40 years.

The public consultation will run from January 15 to February 26.

Bylaws are the rules guiding how the waterways should be used. The bylaws revisions include provisions for safety and sustainability to ensure the maintenance of safe shared public spaces on Ireland’s Waterways, Blueways and Greenways, and protection of the nature and biodiversity around them.

They also propose changes in fees, permits and registrations relating to inland waterways and Greenways along the Shannon Navigation, the Shannon Erne Waterway, Ulster Canal, the Grand and Royal Canals and the Barrow Navigation.

Over 900 submissions were received during the initial consultation period, which closed last October 27. Waterways Ireland has considered all submissions and has made changes to the proposed Byelaws  to endeavour to equitably deal with legitimate matters of concern raised.

The revised changes include:

- Introduction and extension of a five-day rule on Canal harbours

- Re-instatement of winter moorings on the Shannon Navigation

- Removal of a proposed three-day rule at harbours

- Removal of speed limit proposals on Greenways

- Reducing the proposed houseboat permit fees in suburban areas

The second round of the public consultation will offer the public an opportunity to consider the modifications to the proposed revised bylaws, while offering a welcome additional opportunity to have their say. As part of the process, two public meetings on the bylaws changes are planned to facilitate discussion and raise awareness of the process. These public meetings will take place as follows:

Tuesday, February 6, 6pm to 9pm, Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone; February 7, 6pm to 9pm, Mullingar Park Hotel, Westmeath

Further submissions received during the second phase of consultation will be considered by Waterways Ireland to best address the views of all stakeholders and update bylaws which are undisputedly, out-of-date, and unfit for purpose before revised bylaws are submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for approval by the Minister.

The proposed bylaws revisions are the first to take place since 1988 for the canals, and the first since 1994 for the Shannon.

No changes will be made to the existing bylaws, permits, or charges / fees until the legislative process associated with the formal adoption and signing of the bylaws has been completed.

The draft bylaws can be found on waterwaysireland.org and in local libraries along the waterways corridors.

Submissions to the public consultation can be made through the online survey on the website, or by email to corporate@waterwaysireland.org, as well as by post to Waterways Ireland Inspectorate, The Docks, Athlone.