Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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100. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on progress of the Arklow to Shillelagh greenway; to outline the next steps in the process, and a timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15349/26]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter about a very scenic part of the country. I thank him for his advocacy. For the purpose of the question and the greenway itself, the Minister for Transport has responsibility for the overall policy and Exchequer funding in relation to greenways. The planning, design and construction of individual greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland in conjunction with the local authority.

As Deputy Brennan knows, and he has been a long time campaigner for this, the Government has long-since recognised the strategic value of greenways as sustainable transport corridors, as well as being catalysts for regional economic development tourism and community health and wellbeing. That is why the Government and the Department of Transport allocated €59 million to TII this year, to support the greenways and active travel and national roads programme. One scheme being supported is the Arklow to Shillelagh greenway, as Deputy Brennan has articulated and outlined. Last year, this scheme completed phase 2 which was the open selection of TII’s project management guidelines. This is a significant milestone for the delivery of the greenway as it involves identifying a preferred route corridor for the scheme. Wicklow County Council is currently procuring a technical adviser to help advance this preferred route corridor through the development approval process. A successful tenderer has been identified, and their appointment is anticipated in the coming weeks. The technical adviser will commence works to progress the scheme through phase 3, which is design and environmental evaluation. This phase takes into account technical, environmental and social factors identified in earlier project stages and will establish the definitive land footprint necessary to develop and operate the greenway. There will also be extensive engagement with affected landowners and stakeholders during this phase.

It is anticipated that phase 3 will take up to 24 months to complete. Immediate tasks over the coming months will focus on engagement with the Arklow to Shillelagh greenway committee, as well as stakeholder engagement more broadly, procuring and undertaking necessary engineering and environmental surveys, and advancing design development. The Department of Transportation – I will conclude on this – has committed €300,000 to this greenway project for this year. We are committed to the scheme. We hope to see, along with Deputy Brennan, it progress in the coming years.

Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State. In my life, before I took up this position, I was heavily involved in the tourism industry in south County Wicklow for over 20 years. I know first-hand the area’s needs and I cannot emphasise enough the importance of this greenway project. Our support for this is simply critical, as for decades now there is a genuine feeling in south County Wicklow that it has been ignored in terms of tourism investment. This project will simply be a game changer and a catalyst for future tourism developments in Arklow, Woodenbridge, Aughrim, Tinahely and Shillelagh and everywhere in between. I am of the belief that tourism is the greatest commodity we have in this country. When a person has guests staying in towns or villages it really ticks so many boxes; employment, support for local suppliers, shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants. I recognise there has been positive progress on this project over the past few months, but this project is simply taking too long. The first meeting was held nine years ago, on 17 October 2017, in Lawless’ Hotel, Aughrim. We must stay positive and I look forward to ensuring this particular project comes to fruition.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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I genuinely thank the Deputy for his commitment and dedication to this project. As someone in the hospitality sector he recognises the importance of the greenway project. What might be unique in this case is that the scheme has general public acceptance and deserves to progress more quickly than others.

In my own area of Cork we have a huge issue with a particular greenway, which is disappointing in terms of the level of engagement by TII. In this case, we have allocated money to TII and it has already expended or allocated almost €100,000 towards this scheme. There is a number of phases to go through, as the Deputy knows. The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and I have always spoken about expediting and increasing the passage through gates in terms of projects. It is important for a variety of reasons. As the Deputy said, this will be a game-changer for the area. If we look at areas like Arklow, Woodenbridge, Tinahely and Shillelagh, these are areas that bring people in. They are wonderful spots and great tourist attractions. This will be an unlocking of further potential.

Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I totally agree with the Minister of State. I drive this route every week. I try to have a vision of what will happen – not if but when – this greenway happens. We look at cafés on the quays in Arklow, Woodenbridge buzzing with tourists, Lawless’ Hotel in Aughrim reopening, bike shops in Tinahely or more pods in Shillelagh. It is going to be simply transformative. We often overuse the term “game-changer”, but it will literally open up new tourism in south County Wicklow. I worked for years in tourism and fought against the Westports, Galways and Killarneys to get tourists into south County Wicklow. When we get this project it will be transformative and we need the Minister of State’s help along the way.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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I assure the Deputy that the Minister, the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, and I are very committed to this greenway project. The Deputy is right, and he paints a wonderful picture. I look forward to visiting with him again because he has painted a wonderful, broad brush of what it can do. It will drive economic change and regeneration. The point the Deputy has made is the vision will become a reality. It is not “if”, it is “when”, and all of us on this side of the House are anxious to progress the scheme. From our end, there are no barriers to the progression of the scheme. We have allocated money for the greenway project. The Deputy’s enthusiasm will help us to go back and further engage with TII to ensure that we can, with Wicklow County Council, bring this to fruition. There seems to be broad acceptance and agreement around this greenway, which is a positive. Our Department has allocated funding for the greenway project and we look forward to its completion.