The motion had been raised by Independent Councillor for Naas MD Seamie Moore
Kildare County Council has said it doesn't have the resources to commit to a feasibility study for the re-opening of the Naas-Corbally Canal corridor.
KCC says that while it acknowledges the potential recreational, tourism and active travel benefits associated with the corridor, that the Planning Department lacks the "financial or staffing resources towards the preparation of a further feasibility study".
It added that if Waterways Ireland wish to independently examine the corridor, it would then be willing to engage and provide planning policy input as appropriate.
The council cited the commencement of the Planning and Development Act 2024 as having introduced significant new statutory plan-making requirements, with these requirements placing "substantial demands on existing forward planning resources".
It also mentioned the new legislation requires the preparation of an Integrated Overall Strategy and alignment with National Planning Statements, Regional Spatial and Economic Strategies, climate action requirements, infrastructure planning, settlement plans and other statutory planning obligations as part of the County Development Plan review process.
The motion had been raised by Independent Councillor for Naas MD Seamie Moore, arguing that the basic infrastructure and sustainable water feeder supplies are already in existence there.
In addition, he proposed the waterway for boating and water sports, in conjunction with its already approved future use as a walking-cycling Greenway for the benefit of the community.
Speaking on Kildare Today, Cllr Moore described it as an "ongoing saga":
"It's an ongoing saga, a couple of groups want that stretch [to be opened], which is 8.5km long, for boating and water sport activities, the council were very helpful except they can't offer for member of the planning staff to be set aside for that because they're undergoing a lot of Government directives because of the housing crisis.
Cllr Moore added that the opening of a Greenway there will happen in the coming years, but that he wanted both to be opened in conjunction with each other.
The full interview can be heard below:
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