Waterways Ireland is an important cross-Border body. When the Shannon Erne waterway was first opened, I travelled by boat from Enniskillen to Athlone. Seven of us made a most beautiful journey in a friend's boat and stopped at several places along the way. The further extension of the waterway is a very good idea and was discussed at the the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body in Manchester this week. As gas flows, so water flows, and has always done. Waterways Ireland is a very natural body and links to the development of tourism. The revitalisation of small harbours and villages on the banks of our rivers and lakes will be of huge importance to the tourism industry. There is something very satisfactory about imagining a body of water which has flowed from time immemorial and harnessing it, as the Shannon was harnessed for electricity, in a natural way to reawaken the surrounding countryside to the power of water and the beauty it can convey.