Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As I said, Councillor Feeley and I advocated very strongly for investment in the tourism project that is the broader Cuilcagh area. Many years ago, in the early nineties, I was involved in the restoration of what was then the Ballyconnell-Ballinamore canal to make it the Erne-Shannon waterway. Great credit is due to Waterways Ireland, and the Office of Public Works before it, for restoring many of our canals and ensuring we are working to maximise the potential of the River Shannon, which is a majestic 360 km stretch of waterway.

It is important that we use the River Shannon nearest its source as much as possible. Developing that particular stretch, bringing it to Dowra, making it possible for boats to moor near the village and allowing people to access the services, shops, hospitality, etc., in Dowra village will be of enormous benefit to an area that has suffered so much due to the troubles over many decades. I again emphasise the importance of the cross-Border nature of the work of Waterways Ireland and of the development of our tourism product. Cuilcagh Mountain is in the Cavan-Fermanagh area.

See this speech in context