If developed properly Ireland's waterways have the potential to be a resource for leisure and living.
The National Heritage Council want to see the country's inland waterways managed by one agency. The council has also called on the government to set up one national authority to control the development of the waterways. Boat users have now joined with the National Heritage Council to lobby for how the waterways are managed.
Heather Thomas and her family have been running a canal boat business for 25 years. She is now seeking major changes on the inland waterways where at present there is no clear control.
The main point is that the waterways are not just for boats. They should be used, it's a marvellous facility, by a lot more than just boats.
The group are proposing the establishment of cycleways, horse riding paths and walkways along the canal banks. They also propose that the waterways could be used to help solve the housing problem through the establishment of serviced, licensed areas for houseboats. Living on a boat is already an alternative way of life in other European countries.
The National Heritage Council proposals will now go to the government for approval.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 8 July 1999. The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.
