Written answers

Tuesday, 16 June 2020

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Inland Waterways

Photo of Matt CarthyMatt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1104. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the restoration of the Ulster Canal; when she expects the project to fully reach completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11343/20]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In July 2007, the North South Ministerial Council agreed to a proposal to restore a 13km section of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones. This project is important for the border region with potential to stimulate economic activity, giving a much needed boost to job creation and with the growth in water based tourism helping to attract significant numbers of visitors to the area.

In relation to Phase 1, work was completed in 2019 on dredging works to the River Finn, construction of a new navigation arch at Derrykerrib Bridge and the installation of a new mooring facility at Castlesaunderson.

In Phase 2, Waterways Ireland was successful in 2019 in securing  funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund  towards the  restoration of the canal between Clones and Clonfad (circa 1 km) in County Monaghan.  The body  is currently preparing  plans  for the restoration of this section of the canal while a  commission to investigate sourcing a sustainable water supply is ongoing. Future plans include connectingCastle Saunderson to Clonfad, thereby linking the town of Clones by navigable waterway to the Erne system.

Waterways Ireland is also continuing to work with its local authority partners to develop 22km of greenway along the Ulster Canal from Smithborough, Co. Monaghan to Middletown, Co. Armagh.

Work is currently on-going  to prepare for a planning application. An Ulster Canal Greenway strategy has been produced by Waterways Ireland and its partners which sets out how this greenway could become the spine of a network of off-road  greenways across this rural border region.

The project is progressing incrementally, as resources allow, and options for moving to the next phases are being considered.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.