Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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1177. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he or any of the agencies under the aegis of his Department have investigated the further development of canal banks or lands within the control of Waterways Ireland as cycle or pedestrian facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34461/13]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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My Department is fully supportive of the development of cycle ways and walking routes along canal paths and recognises the benefits of these initiatives.  In general, it is a matter for relevant local authorities to progress and submit proposals for the development of such routes to the Department or to a relevant agency.

The agencies which come under the remit of the my Department, and which have a role in the development of walking and cycling ways, are the National Transport Authority and the National Trails Office. I have forwarded your question to those agencies for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within ten days please advise my private office.

With regard to projects being developed by local authorities along routes controlled by Waterways Ireland with direct funding by my Department, €451,000 has been granted to Westmeath County Council under the National Cycle Network programme for the development a cycle route along the Royal Canal in Westmeath. This cycle way will form part of the proposed Dublin-Galway Greenway.