John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We had a very detailed debate yesterday about tourism but it would be good to split that debate into various sections. When we come back in the autumn, it would be a good idea to have a debate about greenways. I refer particularly to the strategic implementation of greenways. Given that so much funding will come into them in the next couple of years, thanks to the programme for Government, what exactly is the Department doing to liaise with local authorities and make sure greenway projects are on time, feasible and can get through any unforeseen hazards or mishaps? This morning we saw €200,000 allocated to the greenway in north Louth, to start the process to take it from Carlingford south towards Dundalk. At the same time, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is building a greenway from Newry through Victoria Lock to meet the north Louth greenway on the Northern Irish Border. The long-term goal is to have a greenway going right along the coast of County Louth, across the Border, up through Newry and hopefully even past Newry further up into the peninsula. It would be wonderful to have a debate on that in September and to liaise with our counterparts in local authorities and Departments in Northern Ireland to see if they are on the same page. We might even have more connecting greenways across the Border into the future.