Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2019
272. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there have been recent developments in the proposal to advance a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8730/19]
View answerI can confirm that following a commitment I gave to Deputy Smith last October, Waterways Ireland have recently re-examined the development potential of extending the Erne navigation from Belturbet to Killykeen/Killeshandra, Co Cavan. The preliminary work previously completed has now been externally reviewed. However, the results of the initial assessment remain unchanged in that significant environmental impact would occur to the designated Lough Oughter habitat and a works project would not be permitted under current environmental regulations.
Waterways Ireland manages and maintains the navigation on the River Erne in County Cavan as part of the Shannon–Erne Waterway. Waterways Ireland’s public jetties are provided in both Belturbet and Kilconny and the navigation channel is provided with navigation markers and signage as and where required. The upper limit of the managed navigation on the River Erne is currently just below Erne Bridge between Belturbet and Kilconny.
Whilst there is no specific legal obligation on Waterways Ireland to deliver a Navigation Plan for the Lough Oughter complex, the preparation of a draft Navigation Plan was initiated in line with the organisation's overall recreational remit in 2008. Waterways Ireland initiated a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of this draft Plan to establish a new navigation on Lough Oughter from Belturbet to Killeshandra.
Lough Oughter has a number of international conservation designations including being a candidate Special Area of Conservation, a Special Protection Area, a proposed Natural Heritage Area, a Ramsar site and a Natura 2000 site. Also there are a number of national and local monuments, and sites of historical/archaeological interest located within the Lough Oughter area.
During the initial data gathering process required for an SEA, the extent of concern for the protection of environmental and architectural heritage was raised by the statutory environmental authorities in both jurisdictions {National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA)}.
A critical issue was the level of impoundment, the extent to which water levels would be raised throughout the system and impacts on the habitats on the extensive water margin. Detailed hydrological modelling and analyses of the entire Lough Oughter complex and potential impacts downstream from the development would be required to determine the actual extent/significance of impacts on the site. In addition as indicated by NPWS and NIEA during the Scoping Phase, given the site’s ecological significance, a detailed habitat survey of the entire shoreline area and comprehensive ecological assessment of the potential impacts on protected species is necessary to fully assess the proposal.
The SEA process indicated that considerable environmental and hydrological assessment would be required to complete any proposed Lough Oughter Navigation Plan. The expenditure necessary to carry out this work is estimated to be in the region of €300,000 and the result is likely to confirm the initial assessment that significant environmental impact will occur to the Designated Lough Oughter habitat and a works project would not be permitted under current environmental regulations. In addition to this, it was estimated in 2014 that development of the navigation would cost between €922,000 (lowest tender) and €1,382,000 (highest tender).
Waterways Ireland has concluded that without an imperative reason of public interest (IRPOI) for the project, creating navigation is not a prospect either in terms of the adverse impact on the European site or in terms of offering value for money in public expenditure.
There is already extensive existing underused navigation for example at Belturbet and Waterways Ireland has reiterated the potential in the waters of the Lough Oughter area being promoted as a distinct Blueway. The national context is that Blueways Ireland (National Trails Office, Canoeing Ireland and other state bodies) is currently considering the establishment of Blueways beyond the Waterways Ireland network of inland waterways.
To this end, Waterways Ireland has met with the Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, other council officials and elected representatives concerning Blueways developed successfully on the Waterways Ireland network to advise on possible ways forward. Waterways Ireland is happy to support Cavan County Council should it decide to develop a Blueway on the River Erne from Belturbet to Killykeen and Killeshandra but as the area is officially outside of their remit, this offer extends to advice and support only.
