457 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when work will commence on opening the Shannon from Lough Allen to Dowra. [8226/02]

Commencement of works on opening the Shannon from Lough Allen to Dowra is the day-to-day responsibility of Waterways Ireland, a North-South implementation body for inland waterways. This body was set up under the British-Irish Agreement signed in March 1999.

Waterways Ireland has informed me that it is currently assessing the technical issues involved in extending navigation from Lough Allen towards Dowra with a view to commencing works on the project towards the end of the year.