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

As part of the evaluation of the various options, Waterways Ireland is exploring the availability of third party funding for the Lowtown to Athy section in County Kildare. It is anticipated that the evaluation of options will be completed in the coming months.

Given the success of blueway projects to date and recognising the capacity, resource, seasonality and mobilisation constraints, and that this is a matter in the first instance for Waterways Ireland, it is my view that the agency should proceed to plan, schedule and resource those elements of the project for which planning is secure. That is, in effect, the second of the options I laid out for the Deputy. My Department will continue to engage with Waterways Ireland to that end. I share the Deputy's desire to see this project proceed.

However, Waterways Ireland will ultimately make that decision itself. There is a Waterways Ireland monitoring committee meeting on 9 July. It is my desire that we go ahead with the parts of the project that have planning permission. Some of the advantages outlined by Deputy Heydon in tourism, cafes and of it being an exciting overall opportunity for Kildare should be acknowledged. Even if we cannot do all the Barrow Blueway at the moment, we should certainly try to do those aspects and parts that have planning permission. There are many blueway initiatives throughout the country. It is a multi-activity trail on or along the water and it is defined by trailheads with readily available trail information and safe access points to the recreational activity. As the Deputy said, these are not only recreational trails but they link the physical activity with places to rest and to have refreshments and with heritage sites. Places of interest can be visited and people can browse the local arts and crafts and experience the local culture.

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I know how important this is for Kildare and I acknowledge his enthusiasm. My desire is that the second option will go ahead and we will await the decision of Waterways Ireland on 9 July.

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