Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will take the last question. Deputy Ó Cuív knows that the Ulster Canal project is very close to my heart. There were great plans for it but, unfortunately, they did not materialise. I am delighted, therefore, that I got work started on it and was the first to do so.

Funding has been made available through the Waterways Ireland budget for the first part of the canal, which goes from Belturbet to Castle Saunderson. There was a bit of a delay in one aspect relating to the contractor but that has now been resolved, so the process is moving. It is my wish that the Ulster Canal would go to Clones and from there to Monaghan and Middletown. I am happy it has started. As has been said, if we had all the money in the morning, we could not spend it, and that is right, but I would like to think that we can do this on an incremental basis. I will certainly put the case forward. The Ulster Canal is mentioned in the Fresh Start agreement and I was very anxious for it to get its rightful place there. It has been discussed at every North-South ministerial meeting and each sectoral meeting. The work has started and I want to see it moved to the next phase.

Monaghan County Council has made an application for INTERREG funding, in conjunction with Waterways Ireland. It is seeking to develop the walkway along the canal from Clones through Monaghan town and on to Middletown. I really want to see it opened and I want to see the boats on it. I was in Ballyconnell when they started work on the Ulster Canal and when the late Mr. Charles Haughey opened the project. It made a huge difference to the town and I am very familiar with it. I will be making the case for the Ulster Canal.