Vol. 504 No. 1
39 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the studies, if any, being carried out on the possibility of re-opening the Ulster canal; and if she has met with her Northern Ireland counterpart in this regard. [11059/99]
A feasibility study into the re-opening of the Ulster canal, which was jointly commissioned by the Rivers Agency of Northern Ireland and Dúchas, the heritage service of my Department, was published last August. This comprehensive study concluded that the re-opening of the Ulster canal is feasible but it would be a large engineering project estimated to cost some £68.4 million sterling, at 1997 prices, and the works stage alone would take at least four years.
In publishing this study, I stated that, while it could open the way to an imaginative joint restoration project with benefits to communities on both sides of the border, there are major financial, legal and environmental considerations to be addressed by both Governments.
The Good Friday Agreement Act, 1999 recently passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas but yet to be brought into force pending the setting up of the Northern Ireland Executive, provides for the establishment of Waterways Ireland, a North-South implementation body for inland waterways, and one of its immediate functions will be to "take forward appropriate studies and appraisals in relation to the possible restoration of the Ulster canal". I believe that this is the appropriate mechanism for progressing the matter and I hope that Waterways Ireland can come into existence at an early date.
My Northern counterpart will be the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure who has yet to be appointed and I look forward to working with the person appointed in the North-South Ministerial Council.
42 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the position regarding works on the Grand and Royal Canals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11064/99]
I refer the Deputy to Parliamentary Question Uimh. 96 of 9 Márta 1999. The position regarding works on the canals is that some £11.2 million was allocated for the restoration and development of the system under the EU Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-9, and £10.6 million has been spent to date. The balance of this funding and other exchequer capital amounting to a total of £1.525 million is scheduled to be spent in 1999 as follows:
Royal Canal
|
£ |
|
|
Lifting bridge, Newcomen Junction |
100,000 |
|
Landing jetties, deep gates, etc. at three locks |
20,000 |
|
Replacement of Moran's Bridge, Mullingar |
700,000 |
|
Barge reconstruction, Killucan |
80,000 |
|
Remedial works at Green Bridge, Mullingar |
20,000 |
|
General remedial works |
10,000 |
|
Design fees for three bridges, Longford |
90,000 |
|
Total |
1,020,000 |
|
£ |
|
|
Barge reconstruction, Clondalkin |
45,000 |
|
Barge reconstruction, Athy |
30,000 |
|
Reconstruction of 9th lock, Clondalkin |
70,000 |
|
Freeboard improvement, Miltown Channel |
8,000 |
|
Remedial works to Monasterevin lifting bridge |
22,000 |
|
Barge reconstruction, Shannon Harbour |
30,000 |
|
Freeboard improvement, Ticknevin |
35,000 |
|
Canal banks improvement, Edenderry |
35,000 |
|
Embankment improvement, Rahan |
7,700 |
|
New stop gates, Rathmore |
25,000 |
|
Improvements to mooring jetty, Daingean |
10,000 |
|
Embankment improvement, Turraun |
27,300 |
|
New lockhouse, Shannon Harbour |
130,000 |
|
Landing Jetties at six locks |
30,000 |
|
Total |
505,000 |
