127 Mr. Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will provide funding for the installation of automatic locks at Albert Lock, Drumsna and Carrick-on-Shannon on the river Shannon in view of the volume of traffic and the consequent risk to the health and safety of the public. [21782/97]

The waterways service of my Department is considering the automation of further locks on the river Shannon. Albert Lock, which is one of the busiest locks, is being considered for early attention.