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

I note what the Deputy has said on the planning and his acknowledgement of the 46 km part of the project. This will be of great benefit to the area. In future it would be good to see if we can roll out the full blueway but at least we have this element of it. Planning permission for the remainder of the route from Athy to St. Mullins was refused mainly on the grounds of the impact it would have on the special area of conservation. Waterways Ireland now wishes to develop the 46 km stretch in collaboration with Kildare and Laois local authorities. The estimated cost of developing the 46 km route from Lowtown to Athy is €6.8 million. Earlier this year, Kildare County Council, in partnership with Laois County Council and Waterways Ireland, made an application under the rural regeneration and development fund. We await the outcome of this process in the autumn. It is this strong partnership approach among the public sector parties and the private, community and voluntary sectors that will ensure that ultimately the project will be developed, promoted and maintained for the benefit of the entire region.

With regard to Fáilte Ireland, as I said, the public meeting is an opportunity to explore what funding may come from it. It is certainly something that should be investigated.

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