Dáil debates
Wednesday, 28 February 2018
Other Questions
Heritage Sites
11:40 am
Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source
The national development plan emphasises the amenity value of the natural built heritage. It is a €285 million investment plan. I have mentioned the national parks and nature reserves and how we need to be in a position to cope with the number of new visitors with better infrastructure. We want to help our invaluable natural assets and have hubs for outdoor activities and to promote tourism.
On the built heritage, to which the Deputy referred, it is the historical core of cities, towns and villages. We must protect and try to regenerate it, where possible. We must also protect castles, forts and mounds. The inland waterways are not just an engineering marvel but also an amenity within the national tourism offering. I intend to ramp up investment into the future, including in the restoration of the Ulster Canal. The plan also provides for implementation of national guidelines for the protection of our unique landscapes. We will be able to implement the national biodiversity plan into the future.
Maddy Nollid
Posted on 7 Mar 2018 9:30 am (Report this comment)
It is great to hear the investment in our canals and that further investment will be spent. I wonder however if the minister is aware that the newly refurbished Royal Canal has huge issues with water during summertime and last year no boats could move beyond Thomastown. Surely it would be a good idea to ensure the work already done should be viable before embarking on new ventures?