Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 326: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement on his strategy in regard to the development of the Ulster Canal. [29928/04]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that one of the functions of Waterways Ireland, one of the six North-South implementation bodies established under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999, is to examine the possible restoration of the Ulster Canal. At this time, no decision has been taken to proceed with the restoration of the Ulster Canal.

A study was commissioned which estimated the cost of the restoration of the full canal at approximately sterling £90 million based on year 2000 costs. The issues arising in regard to the Ulster Canal, including the question of whether a phased or partial approach to the matter might be feasible, are being considered by my Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in the North.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 327: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement on the future strategy of Waterways Ireland for the development of water based amenities. [29929/04]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Waterways Ireland is one of the six North-South implementation bodies established by the British-Irish Agreement Act. The body's remit is the management, maintenance, development and restoration of the inland navigable waterway system, principally for recreational purposes.

Waterways Ireland advises me that it has a programme in place to promote and market the waterways under its remit as part of its marketing and promotion strategy launched earlier this year. It also continues to develop jetties, harbours and moorings along the waterways. In 2005, for example, it intends to complete two harbours at Portrunny, County Roscommon, and Garrykennedy, County Tipperary. In addition, it will provide more than 600 metres of additional moorings at various locations throughout the waterways system North and South.