Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

Earlier this week the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body met in Belfast. The Secretary of State, Peter Hain, was asked a question about the development of the Ulster Canal, which has been debated in this House on a number of occasions. Last week the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, who is responsible for Waterways Ireland, indicated he was awaiting the British response. He was, in principle, in favour and said the Irish Government would financially support the project, which is the last link in the waterways of this country and would allow free passage for the Cathaoirleach from his own constituency in Limerick all the way to Lough Neagh and Belfast.