James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I wish to support the call for a debate on Northern Ireland next week. It is long overdue and the time is right for such a debate.

As soon as possible in the new year, will the Leader invite the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, who is responsible for the Office of Public Works, to debate the progress of the restoration programme by Waterways Ireland of the Royal Canal which will open up the canal for boat traffic from the city to the Shannon, up into Northern Ireland and down to Limerick? There has been somewhat of a go-slow in the progress for the past two years. There was a great hullabaloo when funding of €20 million was announced five or six years ago and much work was done. The canal has been opened up past Mullingar to Abbeyshrule. I believe there are five or six culverts in my own County Longford on which action needs to be taken quickly in order to open the waterway to the Shannon. This would benefit tourism north, south, east and west. It is of the utmost importance that it be tackled and acted upon as soon as possible in 2005 and it warrants a debate in the House.