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

The project going on at the moment relates to Castle Saunderson. That will be a huge benefit to the scouting centre there, which receives in the region of 11,000 visitors every year, mostly young people from various countries. Those responsible for the project are absolutely delighted that they will get this additional facility. Deputy Smyth would be very familiar with Castle Saunderson and what they do there.

It will probably be towards the end of 2017 before all the work is done on that project. A bridge must be built at Derrykerrib. The workers ran into some difficulties as they needed firm ground and then the opposite. That said, I have outlined the plan. I want to work with all of the various organisations involved, including on a cross-Border basis, to ensure we can obtain funding to progress to Clones.

I have spoken to Waterways Ireland about adding water to a portion of the canal to encourage water-based activities such as canoeing and paddle-boarding. I have asked it to work with local communities and the local authorities. This is important if we are to make progress. Monaghan County Council has applied, or is in the process of making an application, for a greenway or a blueway along the route of the canal. It is also a question of protecting the route because some parts of it pass through the North where there are issues that must be dealt with. We were fortunate that much of the canal in the county remained in the ownership of the State, but there is not the same clear title to it in Northern Ireland. Therefore, there are a number of issues that must be overcome. One can rest assured that I would love to be in a position to sit on a boat coming into Clones.