Waterways Ireland opens second phase of public consultation on Byelaws changes

WATERWAYS Ireland has opened the second phase of the public consultation on proposed Byelaws 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 15th to February 26th 2024.

Byelaws are the rules guiding how the waterways should be used. The Byelaws 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 on October 27th 2023. 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 Byelaws, while offering a welcome additional opportunity to have their say. As part of the process, two public meetings on the Byelaws changes are planned to facilitate discussion and raise awareness of the process.These public meetings will take place as follows:

Tuesday February 6th 2024 – 6pm to 9pm – Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone
Wednesday February 7th 2024 – 6pm to 9pm – Mullingar Park Hotel in Co. 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by Waterways Ireland to best address the views of all stakeholders and update Byelaws which are undisputedly, out-of-date, and unfit for purpose before revised Bye-laws are submitted to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for approval by the Minister.

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

Commenting, Waterways Ireland Inspector of Navigation Paddy Harkin said: "Our waterways are used by millions of people for leisure, recreation and enjoyment. This includes boaters, kayakers, anglers, volunteers, walkers and cyclists on the Greenways and Blueways that traverse our country. In addition, our waterways host houseboat communities, and as more people use our waterways, it is important we revise the existing Byelaws to ensure we can provide safe, healthy, sustainable and positive experiences for all users.

“At Waterways Ireland our focus and ambition is to create additional value for the public good by providing a high quality navigation, recreation and tourism offering for the benefit of all. At the same time, we seek to maintain the heritage and biodiversity of these assets to ensure a legacy for generations to come. We are encouraging everyone who is interested to review the draft Byelaws and to participate in the public consultation.”

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

The draft Byelaws 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.

Much has changed in the 30 years since the Byelaws were last updated. The proposed Byelaws reflect the substantial change in Waterways Ireland’s responsibilities to maintain safe shared public spaces on our waterways, Blueways and Greenways and to reimagine our waterways for the future.