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Inland Waterways.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004

Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Ceisteanna (57)

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

112 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will report on his efforts to provide funding for the reopening of the Ulster Canal on either a phased or total basis; his views on whether this is a truly cross-Border project with the full support of all politicians and communities North and South; and his further views on whether this project would be of major benefit towards a proper tourism structure and therefore of major economic benefit to this hard-pressed Border area. [27837/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

One of the functions of Waterways Ireland, one of the six North-South implementation bodies established under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999, is to examine the possible restoration of the Ulster Canal. No decision has been taken to proceed with the restoration of the Ulster Canal. A study was commissioned which estimated the cost of the restoration of the full canal at approximately £90 million Sterling based on costs in 2000. The issues arising in regard to the Ulster Canal, including the question of whether a phased or partial approach to the matter might be feasible, are being considered by my Department and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in the North. The Deputy will appreciate that the question of allocating funding does not arise at this time.

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