Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have outlined to the Taoiseach the importance of this with regard to dispersing tourists. Obviously, that is why I have continually pressed the issue of the Shannon Heritage sites. I understand a deal is now imminent. I would like to express my thanks to the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien. I also see the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, in the Chamber. I thank all who contributed to that deal. It is indeed good news. We need to make sure that tourism is dispersed, and it is part of Clare County Council's strategy to do so. Clare County Council is also developing the west Clare railway, which is progressing well. It is moving to design stage and the Kilkee to Kilrush leg will be the first one to be constructed and opened.

I want to go back to the greenway, however. Yes, the ESB is engaging with Waterways Ireland. Waterways Ireland has a really good track record for a relatively new body - it is very new, in fact; it is only approximately 20 years old - in what it has done. It has done all of it without going through the compulsory purchase order, CPO, process for a single centimetre of land. That is a huge achievement. The ESB wants it to go elsewhere and obtain land through a CPO. That is not the Waterways Ireland approach. It is the ESB approach. It loves obtaining land through CPOs and is quite good at litigation. It is not the Waterways Ireland approach. The ESB needs to work more collaboratively. I acknowledge the ESB's goodwill towards this, but it needs to work harder on it. I ask the Taoiseach to make sure his office brings that collaboration about.

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