Written answers
Monday, 8 September 2025
Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government
Waterways Ireland
Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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1105. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of the Ulster canal restoration phase 3 (Clones to Upper Lough Erne), including procurement, construction milestones, Waterways Ireland delivery arrangements and anticipated opening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47400/25]
Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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The restoration of the Ulster Canal is a major cross-border project principally funded by the Shared Island Fund and my Department. The project is being delivered by Waterways Ireland, in three phases:
- Phase 1 from Upper Lough Erne to Castle Saunderson (completed in 2019)
- Phase 2 from Clones to Clonfad (completed June 2024), and
- Phase 3 Castle Saunderson to Clonfad (underway).
- Sub-phase 3.1 from Castlesaunderson to Gortnacarrow
- Sub-phase 3.2 from Gortnacarrow to Clonoony
- Sub-phase 3.3 Clonoony to Derrynure
- Sub-phase 3.4 Derrynure to Clonfad
Waterways Ireland continues to liaise with relevant stakeholders including affected landowners in relation to the project. Waterways Ireland has corresponded with all affected landowners, providing a project update, and more detailed engagement has commenced recently with land owners in sub phases 3.1 and 3.2.
Estimated completion of all elements (subject to land acquisition and the necessary planning consent for sub-phase 3.3) is 2029.
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