James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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741. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the development of the banks of the Royal Canal from Mullingar to Clondra in County Longford for cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16742/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Both Westmeath and Longford County Councils have submitted proposals under the National Cycle Funding Programme 2014-2016 for the development of greenways along sections of the Royal Canal or feeder canals to the Royal Canal.  While neither application incorporates the development of the section to Clondra, the proposal from Longford County Council relates to the development of 15.2km of existing towpaths of the Royal Canal from the county boundary to Clonbrin, Abbeyshrule to Longford Bridge, Drinan, Ballymahon.  This proposal would be along the route to Clondra.

Separately,  I am aware that Longford County Council are in the process of developing a large section of the Royal Canal towpath from Longford Town to the River Shannon at Clondra and that this will provide a further 13km of Royal Canal Towpath for recreation and tourism use. An announcement of the results in the current NCN funding programme is expected shortly.