Waterways Ireland has said that it will erect further fencing along the Grand Canal in Dublin if needed, according to its chief executive.
John McDonagh told the Dáil Commitee of Public Accounts that the organisation itself chose to put up the barriers along the canal for two reasons -"public health" and"securing their property".Mr McDonagh said that Waterways Ireland - which is responsible for the Grand Canal - was not contracted by any other body to do so, adding that"we reached out to other agencies because we wanted to put in place a form that involved multi-agencies".
After three or four tent removals it became clear that a solution was needed to"stop tents moving from one location to another," he told Fianna Fáil TD James O'Connor. It is a"very unsightly short-term solution," Mr McDonagh accepted, adding that"it doesn't look great".The organisation's Operations Controller, Eanna Rowe, said that it has removed more than 330 tents from the Grand Canal area over the last five weeks.Mr Rowe said that Waterways Ireland spoke to those handing out the tents and"asked them not to camp on our property".Last week, Waterways Ireland said the barriers could remain in place until October.
Yesterday, the Labour Party leader accused the Government of engaging in deliberate vandalism along the Grand Canal. Ivana Bacik told the Dáil that the fencing is"visual evidence Government's failure to provide a sufficient accommodation for those who've come here seeking shelter from war and persecution".
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