Seanad debates

Thursday, 14 June 2018

Commencement Matters

Greenways Development

10:30 am

Photo of Maria ByrneMaria Byrne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Ross. I am delighted that he has come here for this matter which calls for the inclusion of the Shannon greenway in the greenway strategy is part of the Project Ireland 2040: National Planning Framework. I cannot claim any credit for this proposal. I would like to welcome Mr. Eoin O'Hagan from Scariff in County Clare who is in the Public Gallery and who is the brainchild behind this proposal. He pitched this proposal to the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and several other Ministers in March. The proposed greenway would run from the Shannon Pot in County Cavan to the last light at Loop Head in County Clare and Kerry Head in County Kerry. It would be the longest greenway, coming through the centre of Ireland. For thousands of years, the river has been at the heart of Ireland and this was acknowledged by Mr. W. T. Cosgrave who was in the first Government when Ardnacrusha was development and Ireland's first hydro-electric generating station was constructed, bringing the fledgling State into the industrial age.

Greenways attract families, tourists and groups, including cycling groups. I have been on the Déise greenway and the Achill greenway and they have been a great success in terms of attracting tourists and helping in the community with job creation. I was on the Déise greenway on the bank holiday weekend and I saw the number of shops, coffee shops, restaurants and shops supplying the bicycles that have opened up. This also ties into our Healthy Ireland programme in terms of encouraging people to exercise and get fit. A Shannon greenway would encourage a slower tourism and its length would encourage people to explore the heart of Ireland. These are the thoughts behind this proposed greenway. The walker or cyclist will spend time along the route and stay in different places which would lead to hotels, bed and breakfasts or hostels popping up along the route. Such greenways have been a great success all around Europe.

Fáilte Ireland has just launched Ireland's Hidden Heartland's brand and the proposed Shannon greenway could become a major key tourist attraction and could become a must-visit green destination that would anchor the Hidden Heartland's brand. We have been very successful with the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland's Ancient East and believe that this initiative would be like a breath of fresh air in terms of the way in which many of these routes attract millions of tourists and visitors.

I mentioned physical health but these routes are also good for our mental health and well-being. It would be a win-win for Ireland and for the different counties along this route.

There are also many regional airports along the route, including Knock Airport, Kerry Airport and Shannon Airports, all of which come within the remit of the Minister's Department. There is a proposed link from the University of Limerick to the Clare side and this is being developed. The greenway comes along by Killaloe and with the northern distributor road, there could be a link alongside that. There is huge scope to expand this greenway and for it to be the beating heart of Ireland. It is 360 km in length and is worthy of consideration. It will not be built overnight, but there is a very strong tourism possibility for it. It ticks all of the boxes in terms of job creation, tourism and stability in terms of the towns and villages along the route. It would be help to put the beating heart back into that part of Ireland where some of the towns and villages may feel a little left behind. It also ticks the box in respect of the Government's strategy of creating jobs outside of the greater Dublin area.

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Byrne for making such a strong case for the inclusion of the Shannon greenway in the greenway strategy. I am pleased to tell the Senator that in the coming month, I will launch the greenway strategy which will provide a framework for the development of Ireland’s greenways and will determine the type of project to be funded by my Department over the coming decade. This is a long-term strategy with the aim of increasing the number, length and regional spread of greenways across the country. It will set out guidance to project promoters on matters, including strategic nature, length, design standards, accommodation works and early consultation with communities and landowners along proposed routes. Following the publication of the strategy there will be a call for applications later in 2018 with a view to awarding funding to a number of projects for drawdown between 2019 and 2021. In this regard, I was pleased to secure additional funding for greenways last year, bringing the total available for the period 2018 to 2021 to €55.9 million.

Given the increased interest in greenways in recent years, I expect that there will be a strong response to this funding call. I would urge potential applicants for funding to progress their planning and design of greenways as far as possible in advance of any application for funding and to resolve any land ownership issues. I expect to have difficult decisions to make later this year regarding which of the many excellent greenways proposals - the Shannon proposal among them - to fund. No specific routes are being included in the strategy and the routes to be funded will be determined by the proposals that are submitted as part of the call for applications. Projects that are likely to be successful in achieving funding are those that are scenic, provide access to things to see and do, that meet the Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, standard on greenway construction, are strategic in nature, have planning permission in place, or in place within a very short period, and that have clarity on any land access issues. They should also have facilities such as accommodation and for food and drink every 15 km to 20 km along the route. The strategy will also prioritise greenways that are of scale, at least 20 km, and have the potential to be part of a wider walking and cycling infrastructure.

With regard to the Senator’s specific query on the Shannon greenway, I am aware that there is a proposal and my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, has met with some of the promoters. I look forward to seeing the proposal as part of the funding call that will follow the strategy. On the surface, it appears it could fit well with the new brand experience of Ireland's Hidden Heartland's as well as existing greenway infrastructure in Westmeath and Roscommon but could also, depending on its route, fit in with part of the Wild Atlantic Way. If the proposal requires further development and will not meet the funding call this year, it is important to remember that the greenways strategy is a long-term one and will likely have a number of funding calls associated with it.

Depending on the route proposed, I would add that it would be vital that the relevant local authorities, Waterways Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the OPW would be involved in developing any proposal included it in the relevant county development plans and then carry out a feasibility study and subsequently, if the proposal justifies it, engage in further planning and design. This development work should commence as soon as possible.

I wish the proponents well in their endeavours in what is undoubtedly a very good proposal.

Photo of Paul CoghlanPaul Coghlan (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Does the Senator have a brief supplementary question?

Photo of Maria ByrneMaria Byrne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his positive response and his welcome for this proposal. Even though Mr. O'Hagan is the chairman of the Clare tourism board, this proposal is of such a scale that it encompasses many counties and local authorities. Perhaps the Department could become involved and consider this proposal as a pilot scheme. The route would travel right down the centre of the country, starting in Cavan, travelling through Clare and ending up in Kerry. There is huge potential with the development of this route. We would be grateful for any support from the Department in terms of helping the application along, although I understand the application has to be submitted.

Photo of Shane RossShane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Senator on trying to force me to pre-empt the selection process. I am afraid I am unable to do that but I understand the case she has made and it will not do her cause any harm, or the proposal any damage.