Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was also chairperson of Lough Key Forest Park Action Group. Although more can be done, it is wonderful to see the various agencies, including local authorities, Coillte and the witnesses' organisations, working together to make that one of the major tourist attractions.

We sometimes take the six largest North-South implementation bodies for granted. It is hugely significant for me and for Ireland that we are working together. I have heard nothing but good news from the agencies represented here. Their diversification in the last few years has been very welcome. I have seen the blueway at Acres Lake. I have walked the boardwalk with my child and it is absolutely wonderful. In Ireland we do not realise that we have clement, temperate weather all-year round if one puts on the right rain gear. More of these initiatives are very welcome. It is great to see the work on Roosky Lock.

We had serious flooding in 2010 and again more recently. The agencies did not all come together. It is great to see Waterways Ireland and the Loughs Agency coming together with the local authority and the ESB in monitoring this. It is a huge issue around Carrick-on-Shannon, Roosky and similar areas. I know that the witnesses' agencies also monitor the depths of the lakes, including Lough Allen. Funding has been secured for the lock at Jamestown, which was vital. A local group that with expertise at its disposal got involved there, and the Office of Public Works, OPW, and the agencies represented here listened to it. Many of those pinch points have been addressed. The witnesses' agencies are not responsible for flooding but they are certainly part of the solution, and I would like to thank the witnesses for their work there.

Heritage trails, tourism, motor home facilities and blueways are all signs that these agencies are diversifying, and they are very welcome. I have seen the huge local benefit of the blueway. We never thought there would be such a benefit but I have seen it.

Finally, I am a bit confused about the charge. A year's use costs €126. That is just-----