Vol. 474 No. 3
119 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the reason for the delay in carrying out the environmental survey of the Ulster Canal; when work will commence on the survey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2816/97]
A preliminary environmental impact statement will form part of the feasibility study into the restoration of the Ulster Canal. This study is a joint one being commissioned by the Government purchasing agency in Northern Ireland on behalf of the rivers agency of their Department of Agriculture and the waterways service of my Department. Following advertisements in the press and the EU Journal a shortlist of interested consultancies will soon be invited to submit detailed tenders for carrying out the study. Pending completion of this process, I am not in a position to state when the study will commence.
Further detailed environmental surveys will be considered in the light of the findings of the feasibility study.
