Chairman:

My next question may sound a little parochial. The River Boyne, which flows from Kildare to Drogheda, is littered with internationally recognised heritage sites, including Newgrange, Slane, Tara, the Battle of the Boyne site, Monasterboice and hundreds of abbeys, raths, wells and old bridges. It is a very well served area and one of the top ten Fáilte Ireland tours. The area is known as the heritage capital of Ireland. It would be useful to develop the idea of a heritage park and link the many heritage sites stretching from the source of the River Boyne to its estuary by means of a greenway. The route would take in three counties and could become one of the great walks of Europe, with visitors spending eight or nine days traversing it and spending time in bed and breakfast accommodation, restaurants and water adventure facilities. I ask the Minister to consider that idea.

In Canada, there is a strong focus on river parks. This involves sterilising rivers as cities develop. For example, as the city of Toronto has developed, the river has been left in its natural state, with parkland stretching approximately 200 m either side. This linear park in a densely populated city is good for the natural function of the river and its heritage value. It is also good that citizens have a green belt with a river in the middle of their city. If there is to be significant building works here in the next three to ten years, it would be useful to consider this idea.