Duchas, the heritage service, is being asked to consider a proposal which would revolutionise the inland waterways system, to examine the possibility of linking the Grand and Royal Canals through Westmeath and opening up the waterways in the midlands.
The suggestion has come from Senator Camillus Glynn, who is based in Mullingar. He has proposed linking the two canals at their nearest points.
This would mean linking the Grand Canal at Kilbeggan with the Royal Canal which runs through Mullingar using existing waterways in the area.
By making the Brosna river navigable and by using Lough Ennell, it would be possible to create a link which would allow boats to shift from one system to another.
"I want to see both canals used to their fullest potential because I believe they are underused," he said during the week. "A lot of money has been spent on the Royal Canal in recent years, and the opening of Moran's Bridge in Mullingar to navigation is a very significant step towards bringing the canal back to what it was.
"We should be looking to extend the canal network in this country, and due to the proximity of the two canals the OPW should consider linking them." He said that extending the options open to tourists using the canals would bring benefit to the towns of Kilbeggan and Mullingar and to the county at large.
"It is only 14 miles, and there is a route which would need upgrading, but it would be a very worthwhile development for the mid lands and for the country as a whole," he said. "There is the potential for bringing high-spending tourists into the area, and we need to develop our tourism here in this county based on our natural resources."