Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In his closing remarks, the Minister of State spoke about the need for a just transition for communities, which is crucial. It is particularly important for communities that have been hardest hit. I am thinking of those in Shannonbridge and Lough Ree and the severe economic blow that the closure of plants there has dealt to the local communities. Generations of families have relied on these plants for employment. The bottom line is that those jobs have not been replaced. My colleague, Deputy Sorca Clarke, and I met community representatives in Lanesborough a couple of weeks ago. We were right across the road from the now closed Lough Ree power station. We discussed the recent feasibility study carried out on behalf of Roscommon County Council about the potential for a boardwalk on Lough Ree at Ballyleague.

I will highlight the potential for this boardwalk. It offers something unique that is really needed and can make a difference in Ballyleague and Lanesborough for tourism, the local economy and job creation. Four options were outlined in the feasibility study. The report concluded that the first option, at a cost of €10 million, was the best. I hope the Minister will give his backing to the project to ensure this investment is made. The report concludes that it would be a key element of infrastructure necessary to promote economic development and the potential extension and opening of new tourism-related business. It states it will help to offset negative social and economic impacts arising from the loss of employment in the area and that it will help to rank up Ballyleague as a premier water recreation and angling destination. We need to invest in these communities that have been at the coalface. This is a good project. I hope it will receive backing and support. The communities in question have given so much to us over many years in the form of electricity generation and we need to give something back to them. We need to make sure they are supported as part of a just transition.

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