More barriers and fencing have been removed along Dublin's Grand Canal, Waterways Ireland says.
The organisation has met with representatives of local residents groups to discuss how it might fully reopen the amenity of the canal.
It says "a number of options" are being explored including acceleration of a landscaping and biodiversity programme which has been jointly formulated by Waterways Ireland and Dublin City Council.
Barriers being taken away from Dublin's Grand Canal, 3-10-24. Image: Ciaran Bradley/Newstalk"Waterways Ireland staff have been monitoring the affected area to deter erection of illegal encampments, to identify public-health issues, sanitary and clean-up requirements, to survey the canal and canal bank and to deter criminal damage to Waterways Ireland property and fencing," it says.
"All instances of illegal encampments and criminal damage to property have been and continue to be reported to An Garda Síochána."
The barriers were initially installed by Waterways Ireland after a multi-agency operation to remove asylum seeker tents from the banks of the canal in May.
Waterways Ireland says putting up temporary barriers along the canal was not something it had ever envisioned doing.
"It was done as a mitigation measure, primarily for reasons of health and safety, and public health, following large-scale illegal encampments on the canal banks," the organisation says.
It has removed two sections of temporary fencing - one on September 25th and another section yesterday - as "further steps to fully reopen the canal amenity."
Barriers being taken away from Dublin's Grand Canal, 3-10-24. Image: Ciaran Bradley/NewstalkWaterways Ireland also introduced enhanced monitoring last month with "external resources" being contracted to assist Waterways Ireland staff by patrolling the area on a 24-hour basis.
It says the pilot programme will be kept under review.
The body adds that it is "seriously concerned for the safety and health of people" staying in tents by the canal.
