Vol. 554 No. 5
1607 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the Ulster Canal project is one of the few and most genuine cross-Border and cross-community projects; if he has discussed the issue at intergovernmental level with the British authorities or at European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16863/02]
1626 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will give an update on the cross-Border discussions regarding the Ulster Canal; if progress is being made; if there is a Government commitment to this genuine cross-Border and crosscommunity project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16865/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1607 and 1626 together.
Under the terms of the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999, Waterways Ireland were charged with examining the possible restoration and development of the Ulster Canal.
Waterways Ireland commissioned a feasibility study into the re-opening of the Ulster Canal which estimated the cost to be in the region of sterling £90 million based on year 2000 figures. This report was passed to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, DCAL, in the North who co-sponsor the body.
In March 2002 DCAL requested that the consultants be asked to clarify a number of aspects of the report, mainly in relation to economic assumptions and social needs. This was received in June 2002.
It is clear from the report that the project would not be justifiable on economic grounds. Therefore, any consideration would have to be on the basis of the social and general cross-Border social benefits to the areas through which the canal passes. Recently it was decided to commission a further report, at modest cost, into the various funding options which might be available.
No decision has been made as to whether to proceed with the restoration of the Ulster Canal.
