Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. I will pass on their observations to Waterways Ireland which will be updated on the matter. It was clear when the studies were carried out that the project could not proceed as the environmental damage to the conserved area would be unacceptable and that spending further resources on further studies would be fruitless. There does not currently appear to be a viable option. However, we can re-examine the issue and I will pass on the request to Waterways Ireland. As the Deputies have pointed out, blueways confer benefits in terms of recreational activity. As I stated, Waterways Ireland is responsible for 1,000 km of navigable inland waterways, principally for recreational purposes. Waterways Ireland is continuing work in the Deputies' constituency with Monaghan County Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and many other councils in the area to maximise what we can do in terms of blueways and greenways. It is also progressing a project which received Government approval in 2015, namely, to open a navigation on a 2.5 km stretch of the River Finn from the Erne navigation to the international scout centre at Castle Saunderson in County Cavan.

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