Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1309. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he will report on their efforts to further develop the Ulster Canal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20401/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Ulster Canal is funded by my Department, the Shared Island Initiative and by the Department of Rural and Community Development. It is a flagship North South infrastructure Project, and an important element of the Government's Shared Island Initiative.

Waterways Ireland is currently delivering the restoration of the Ulster Canal from Lough Erne to Clones.

The overall project was divided into 3 phases:

Phase 1, from Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson opened for navigation in 2019.

June 2024 saw the opening of Phase 2, from Clones to Clonfad. The work on this phase included a sustainable water source, a new slipway and marina infrastructure facilitating access to the canal for small craft, two new access bridges, repairs to an existing masonry arch bridge, flood relief culverts, c.1km of restored canal and towpath with looped walk and amenity area.

In total, Phase 3, from Clonfad to Castle Saunderson, consists of 10km of new and refurbished navigable canal. A towpath with a looped walk and amenity area is planned along with a sustainable water source, a double lock chamber and marina at Gortnacarrow, seven new bridges (one will be a lifting bridge), a small footbridge and refurbishment of three existing masonry arch bridges, culvert, and drainage repairs, stop gates provision of a new service block facility and carparking.

A Project Lead for the Ulster Canal in Waterways Ireland was appointed in December 2024. Submission of planning permission to Monaghan County Council for Sub-Phase 3.3 is scheduled for Q2 2025.

Waterways Ireland continues to liaise with relevant stakeholders on Phase 3 of the Ulster Canal Restoration Project, including affected landowners.