Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider developing plans to create and improve walking and cycle routes in the Midlands, with particular focus on canal and river pathways, in order to attract more tourists to the Midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3638/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has provided significant investment for cycling routes, including in the Midlands. The most recent National Cycle Network funding scheme allocated funding for routes along the R420 in Offaly and along the Royal Canal in Westmeath.  The latter in particular builds on extensive previous funding for route development along the Canal in Westmeath. It is likely that a further funding call for National Cycle Network funding will take place in 2013, which would again provide an opportunity for Local Authorities to gain funding for projects in a competitive manner. Furthermore, the current work by the NRA on route alignment and design for a Dublin-Galway cycle route would clearly benefit the Midlands should funding for delivery prove possible.