Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020
170. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the progress made to date with the restoration of the Ulster Canal; the discussions that have taken place to date between his Department and the shared island unit of the Department of the Taoiseach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37621/20]
View answerThere has been extensive engagement in recent weeks at a very senior level between my Department and officials in the Department of the Taoiseach in this matter.
The Deputy will recall that in July 2007, the North South Ministerial Council agreed to a proposal to restore a 13km section of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones. This project is important for the border region with potential to stimulate economic activity, giving a much needed boost to job creation and with the growth in water based tourism helping to attract significant numbers of visitors to the area
In relation to Phase 1, work was completed in 2019 on dredging works to the River Finn, construction of a new navigation arch at Derrykerrib Bridge and the installation of a new mooring facility at Castlesaunderson.
Under Phase 2 of the restoration works, Waterways Ireland was successful in 2019 in securing €325,000 of Category 2 funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for additional engineering studies for a section of the restoration between Clones and Clonfad in County Monaghan. A further 25% of match funding is being provided by my Department.
During 2020 Waterways Ireland has utilised this investment to carry out preliminary engineering studies to progress the restoration of an 800m reach of canal between Clones and Clonfad in County Monaghan, including a canal basin and amenity area in Clones as part of Phase 2 of the restoration. These studies have included the following;
- A commission to investigate sourcing a sustainable water supply,
- Site investigation work in order to facilitate the development of design proposals and associated project estimates,
- An economic appraisal focusing on the Phase 2 proposal,
- A tourism and recreation study to assess the opportunity to develop water-sports and leisure facilities adjacent to the Ulster Canal Stores Visitor Centre in Clones.
Work relating to land requirements and purchase arrangements for this section of the restoration has also commenced.
Discussions between the Departments concern the next phase of linking Clones to the Shannon Erne system and, in addition, to progress of the greenway components of the project from Clones, going east to Middletown, through Smithborough and Monaghan Town.
