Vol. 482 No. 6
352 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the current stage of planning for the Erne Navigation project south of Belturbet, County Cavan; when the project will proceed to tender; when construction work will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19046/97]
Following receipt of tenders by the waterways service for the preliminary investigations forming part of the environmental impact study (EIS) on this project, it was decided to carry out further design work in order to give a more accurate estimate of the physical works and costs involved before proceeding to EIS and economic analysis. When this information is available a decision will be made concerning the next phase of the process which will encompass a detailed design. The decision will depend on the costs identified and the availability of funding to carry out the whole project. It would be unwise to commit the limited resources available to expensive studies unless the estimated costs of the project are such that there is a realistic chance of obtaining funding.
There is no allocation for the construction of this project in the current tranche of European Regional Development Fund funding for 1994-99. Decisions on the next round have not yet been made. It is not possible at this time to say when the scheme might go to tender or construction.
