Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:249. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the re-opening of the Ulster Canal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40695/17]
View answerTuesday, 26 September 2017
Questions (249)
Written answers
One of my priorities since taking Ministerial office has been the restoration of the Ulster Canal. I secured Government approval to restore a 2.5 km stretch of the Ulster Canal from the Shannon-Erne Waterway to the International Scout Centre at Castle Saunderson, County Cavan on 24 February 2015.
The project, which comprises three work phases, is being undertaken by Waterways Ireland.
The contract for the completion of the third and final phase of the works, the construction of a new road bridge north of the existing Derrykerrib Bridge and a new 250 m section of canal running parallel to the existing river, was awarded to the successful tenderer on 25 March 2017.
The contractors are currently on site with completion anticipated by autumn 2018, subject to weather conditions and water levels over the 2017 /2018 winter. The temporary access road is complete and work has started on the canal wall excavations.
I remain firmly committed to delivering this flagship project for the border region.