The recent Comptroller and Auditor General report has shown that funding for Ireland’s canals and waterways was not actually used. Waterways Ireland failed to spend €12 million euros in 2003 and 2004.
This means that an opportunity to invest in vital infrastructure in Dublin 15, such as pedestrian crossings over the canal at Clonsilla and Coolmine railway stations, was once again lost. However, Deputy Burton claimed the ‘underspend’ presented a wonderful opportunity to finally carry out the promised works:

“I am calling upon Fingal County Council, Waterways Ireland, and Iarnrod Eireann to come together to discuss how this funding can be used.
The pedestrian facilities at Coolmine and Clonsilla railway stations have been promised for 14 years but there is no sign of delivery.
The recent fatal accident at Coolmine railway station shows the consequences of inaction on this.
This €12 million underspend would be particularly useful in funding the needed pedestrian crossing over the canal at Clonsilla and Coolmine railway stations.
Secondly, the towpath from Laurel Lodge to the Deep Cutting at Porterstown and Blanchardstown is in a dangerous condition and needs upgrading for those who use it. Similarly, I believe that the surplus funds should be used for this purpose.
The main players – Fingal County Council, Waterways Ireland and Iarnrod Eireann – need to sit down together urgently to discuss these necessary investments. It is time that the money allocated to Waterways Ireland is actually used to fund the long-promised investments in Dublin 15.”