I have sent this email to Bernard Durkan, a Fine Gael TD for Kildare North:
Greetings.
It is reported that, in the Dáil on 6 March 2014, you said:
“The canal restoration that has taken place over the past 50 years was largely done through voluntary effort. While Waterways Ireland has an involvement in upgrading the canals, and it has a responsibility that we all respect, cognisance should be taken of the huge voluntary effort in the restoration of the canals.”
I would be grateful if you could tell me the evidence for your assertion. How did you measure restoration and the respective contributions of volunteers and of Waterways Ireland and its predecessor bodies?
Best wishes
bjg
I may confess that I think he’s talking through his hat, but I will read his evidence with interest.
Irish waterways history 