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THE MINISTER OF State for Heritage and Electoral Reform has stalled plans to move several barges off the Grand Canal, after petitions from barge dwellers.
It’s understood the Green Party’s Malcolm Noonan contacted barge owners and said that these evictions would not happen.
Six boat owners were served evictions notices, and told that their homes are to be removed by crane and stored for a month before being sold off.
The Minister of State is now in discussions with those involved in the hope of finding a more permanent solution, it is understood.
Waterways Ireland, which is the government authority for looking after the nation’s rivers and canals, has repeatedly warned those living on the barges that they must move on.
According to current by-laws, Waterways Ireland does not allow boats to moor on any canals for more than five consecutive days.
However, current residents say they should be allowed live there and that the laws need updating to cater for the current housing crisis.
Waterways Ireland said in a statement:
“Minister Noonan issued a statement this morning in relation to this matter. Waterways Ireland’s Chief Executive is meeting with the Minister this afternoon and a statement will be issued following that meeting. There will be no further comment at this time.”
The Department of Heritage has been contacted for a statement.
- with reporting from Garreth MacNamee
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Houseboat is not the worst thing to see on the canal.
Maybe some sort of licensing agreement can be made where they pay rent for mooring.
@Sequoia: they do pay for mooring
Maybe Waterways Ireland should reevaluate their ability to maintain the nations rivers and canals before progressing into real estate.
@Simon Gregory: Indeed. For quite a long time now we’ve all the acknowledged we have a serious housing problem. This was one novel way of alleviating that for these people, they weren’t causing problems or hurting anyone. It’s novel approaches like this that we need, opening new doors rather than closing them, yes, pun intended. Forcing people into homelessness because it spoils someone else’s day, madness.
@Arch Angel: There’s plenty of live aboards up where I am. Most either move their boat every week or so or go into a private marina, up here it’s about a grand a year for a mooring in a private marina, Not to bad for a years rent. Hogging public moorings just denies others of their use meaning that the folk who are happy to move can’t.
@Simon Gregory: skillful thinking, cool indeed
If these folk are managing their human waste responsibility I.e using holding tanks and desposing of it through proper pump out facilities I see no problem with them. They’re an extra set of eyes and ears on the canal, that has had its fair share of antisocial arseholery in the last couple of years.
@Cupid Stunt: Completely agree.
@Cupid Stunt:
Nail on the head there.
They also need safety inspections on a 5 yearly basis to ensure safety.
As it is the nearest public dry Dock is in Shannon Harbour.
Lowton boat yard had to cease operations because of pressure by Waterways Ireland (older management).
I would love to see a boating community, on our canals.
@Michael Clinton: there is a dry dock on the Grand Canal, granted it’s in Athy
Come to The Netherlands and see how well the idea of living on the water is working and has been for centuries. Some of the houseboats don’t look fantastic from the outside but are incredible once inside.
I see no reason why they shouldn’t be allowed to stay there. The barges are pleasant to look at and alleviate some small element of the housing crisis
Why are they not allowed? Genuine question. I only noticed them recently ( not very observant) and thought they really added character. Maybe there are problems I’m not aware of
@Patricia Ellis Dunne: I remember another location where sewage and waste water was a problem, but I’m not sure if that was the issue here.
In London you can rent a mooring for about £5,000 or more, but they are serviced with sewage outlets and power. That would seem like the way to go here.
But free long-term mooring on public moorings isn’t on.
@John Mulligan: I lived on a barge 15 years ago and we were BEGGING them to put in proper facilities like they have in many other countries…. they just won’t ! They are trying to enforce an arbitrary rule that was made up in the last century for no good reason …. I was working as a nurse and it was a great way to live close to the city without the HUGE rents … pity they can’t use their imagination and resources to find solutions Insteon harassing people .
Whilst it does seem heavy handed of Waterways Ireland the fact is canals are thoroughfares- not parking places. The whole idea is that barges can and do move. So if someone else travels up the canals they get an opportunity to moor for a while too. Imagine if people in campers took over public car parks: same thing.
Better than all the pissheads with their cans
are these actually Evictions?
@Ixtrix Net: confiscations
@Ixtrix Net: Eviction is the act of expelling someone from their property, if you remove their barge then effectively you have evicted them. As Sequoia above says , they need to licence and inspect these barges but if all is above board, pardon the pun , then the barges can be quite attractive if well maintained and painted.
@Honeybee:
but, aren’t they being told to ‘move along’ from where they’ve no right to be?
@Ixtrix Net: yes
There doing no harm, a disgrace that they want to move them or make them homeless. Just some paper pusher in Waterways flexing his muscles and power to justify his position.
@Justin Hanley: Is there not an organisation to help travellers called Pavae Point, can the not help these poor travellers to find a new halting berth.
Does one need a license for a barge
Know a man from Offaly looking for one
Wasn’t there a pub barge years ago? Did it get confiscated and sold off?
@Míleata Watch Co: Have you got a minute
can you find out more about the pub barge
Do you need a license
Have a cash buyer from Offaly for a quick sale
No pump out on that stretch. Barges there being used as businesses and air b n b.
Sewerage, what happens there? I noticed in Amsterdam that there were connections, we wouldn’t have the connections.
What! Why can’t they stay there in my opinion house boats add a bit of welcome colour to any canal. Leave them be.
Waterways Ireland are similar to 1970s ‘Golf Club’ snobbery surely thou has’t seen the movies/films, songs such as ‘Harper Valley PTA’. Jumped up lords
Suitable mooring alternative?? There’s space at Grand Canal Dock
This is great news
have your say