I welcome the Minister to the House and thank her for coming to address this matter. This is an opportunity for me to convey the thanks of the people of Leitrim and west Cavan to the Minister and her Department and, by extension, to those who were responsible not only for establishing the Shannon-Erne link but also for the high standard of maintenance and the continuing monitoring of the services available to cruiser traffic on the Shannon-Erne waterway.
It is in that context that I raise this matter. Leitrim village, which is in my own home area, has experienced remarkable progress since the Shannon-Erne canal re-opened only a few short years ago. Progress in the village is perhaps best illustrated by current proposals to build a number of town houses with marina facilities leading into the Shannon on one side of the bridge, and a hotel complex and apartments on the western side of the bridge. These will be of great economic benefit not only to Leitrim village but to its hinterland.
One small area close to the bridge in Leitrim has fallen into a state of neglect and disrepair. For that reason I feel it is opportune for the Minister to investigate whether her Department, or specifically Dúchas which is responsible for the maintenance of the waterways, has proposals to repair and upgrade this access point. I strongly propose that the upgrading be carried out if at all possible because it would provide yet another landing area for the hundreds of boats now accessing Leitrim village. As the Acting Chairman is aware, the village is the junction of the Shannon-Erne waterway. Those arriving in the village from the east can choose to go south down the Shannon to Carrick-on-Shannon and beyond or north to the restored Lough Allen Canal.
The Minister has been to the forefront in ensuring ongoing development on the Shannon waterways and I know she will agree that this small remaining piece of ground in Leitrim village could be upgraded and brought to the same standard as that on the other side of the bridge. This proposal has the strong support of the Leitrim Development Association and I wish to acknowledge its secretary, Mr. Seamus Regan, who together with many others has been involved in sterling work to ensure Leitrim village maintains a high standard of services for the many tourists, visitors and residents.
