Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 June 2013
53. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to support the Boyne Greenway Initiative which will run from the source of the Boyne to the estuary and which has the potential to become an international tourism product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30952/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently administering a multi annual funding programme related to the development of the National Cycle Network (NCN) to cover the period 2012 to 2016. Significant investment has already been made in 2012 and 2013 with €7 million allocated to 16 projects across Ireland. One of the projects to benefit from this funding is a 3km section of cycle way from the Drogheda Ramparts to the Oldbridge entrance of the Battle of the Boyne site. This 3km, which is part of a longer 45km route envisaged by Meath County Council, has been allocated €500,000 by my Department and will be constructed by end 2013. The 45km route, if fully developed, would link the towns of Drogheda, Slane, Navan and Trim with the potential to connect with the proposed Dublin to Galway Greenway. It is intended to initiate a new funding call under the NCN Programme later this year to provide, through competitive process, a further tranche of funding for the remainder of the years to 2016. As part of this competitive process, it would be a matter for Meath County Council to progress and submit proposals to the Department for the development of cycle projects in Co. Meath, including any proposal to develop a Boyne Greenway.
