Waterways Ireland

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2023

Thursday, 7 December 2023

Ceisteanna (13)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

13. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures that will be implemented at an early date to progress the proposal to extend the Shannon navigation from Lough Allen, County Leitrim, to Dowra, County Cavan, in view of the substantial preparatory work carried out on the project some years ago and the benefits of such a development for the upper Shannon region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53977/23]

Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)

Deputy Brendan Smith

As the Minister of State knows, the River Shannon rises at the Shannon Pot in the Cuilcagh Mountains in County Cavan. It is a massive national and natural resource for our country. A huge part of that waterway is now navigable, making it a massive tourist and recreational amenity for our own people and visitors to our country. As the Minister of State will know from the files in the Department, I am anxious that the stretch of this river from Lough Allen to Dowra village in County Cavan also be made navigable. Some years ago, significant preparatory work was done on making this specific stretch navigable. Dowra is the first village on the River Shannon and I would like that stretch to be given immediate attention if possible.

Deputy Malcolm Noonan

I thank the Deputy for asking this question. He and I were both present at the launch of Waterways Ireland's ten-year strategy down the street from Leinster House. It presents very exciting opportunities, including, as the Deputy said, regarding the potential for our navigable waterways to be economic drivers in rural communities in particular.

The navigation to Lough Allen through the Lough Allen canal was restored and reopened in 1994. Since then, Waterways Ireland has developed and maintained facilities for boats at a number of key locations, including significant marina developments at both Cleighran More and Drumshanbo, along with harbour facilities at Spencer Harbour. Waterways Ireland has obtained planning permission for the development of a boat slipway at Spencer Harbour. This project is due to commence in 2024 and will complement the harbour as a boating amenity and provide enhanced access to Lough Allen. Waterways Ireland is actively examining initiatives to further enhance Lough Allen and the surrounding communities in line with the strategic initiatives outlined in the Shannon tourism master plan, including to establish discovery points similar to those along the Wild Atlantic Way, the River Shannon and the Shannon-Erne waterway.

Regarding the extension of the navigation up the River Dowra, I am advised that Waterways Ireland, having been unsuccessful in obtaining planning permission more than ten years ago, has established a team to re-examine the possibility of extending the navigation toward the village of Dowra. A tender package is being prepared to engage ecological consultants to complete a new environmental impact assessment of the project. This study and the accompanying proposed preliminary engineering design will be progressed in parallel throughout 2024. It could potentially be a very positive project, but again it is in a process now.

Deputy Brendan Smith

I thank the Minister of State sincerely for his positive response and welcome that this project is being actively looked at again. I hope the environmental impact statement and other associated preparatory studies will be successful. Our local councillor in that area, Councillor John Paul Feeley, and I worked extremely hard to get investment at the Shannon Pot. Fortunately, through the Department of tourism and Cavan County Council, more than €6.5 million has been secured to provide and construct a major interpretive centre at the Shannon Pot. There will be a number of amenities, visitor displays and walking trails. This links in, as the Minister of State knows, with the Cavan Burren Park and also the cross-Border Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark. The extension of the navigation to as near Dowra as possible would fit in with the overall tourism development plan for the upper Shannon region. We are talking about projects that are of huge importance not just to Cavan and Leitrim but to the upper Shannon region and the entire Border region. I am very glad that some months ago the Minister of State's Department purchased thousands of acres of additional land to extend the unique, cross-Border geopark, of which Dowra is part. The village is quite near the Shannon Pot and would be excellent to have navigation as near to it as possible to ensure we maximise the potential of the massive resource that is the River Shannon.

Deputy Malcolm Noonan

I again agree wholeheartedly with everything the Deputy has said. The potential here is immense, especially for parts of rural Ireland and the Border counties. It could provide a viable and vital economic driver for the region. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and I are deeply committed to supporting the work of Waterways Ireland in trying to achieve that, along with partners. The tourism master plan is the vehicle by which these projects can be delivered.

On the specific project, it is in a process so I will not comment any further. I am, however, of the view that maximising this potential will deliver huge benefits to rural communities. We cannot discount the cross-Border, all-Ireland nature of Waterways Ireland's remit. That is why we have invested significantly not just in the Shannon, but also in the entirety of navigable waterways. There are very exciting times ahead for our waterways. I again thank the Deputy for bring this question forward.

Deputy Brendan Smith

As I said, Councillor Feeley and I advocated very strongly for investment in the tourism project that is the broader Cuilcagh area. Many years ago, in the early nineties, I was involved in the restoration of what was then the Ballyconnell-Ballinamore canal to make it the Erne-Shannon waterway. Great credit is due to Waterways Ireland, and the Office of Public Works before it, for restoring many of our canals and ensuring we are working to maximise the potential of the River Shannon, which is a majestic 360 km stretch of waterway.

It is important that we use the River Shannon nearest its source as much as possible. Developing that particular stretch, bringing it to Dowra, making it possible for boats to moor near the village and allowing people to access the services, shops, hospitality, etc., in Dowra village will be of enormous benefit to an area that has suffered so much due to the troubles over many decades. I again emphasise the importance of the cross-Border nature of the work of Waterways Ireland and of the development of our tourism product. Cuilcagh Mountain is in the Cavan-Fermanagh area.

Deputy Malcolm Noonan

I thank the Deputy and Deputy Feighan for the work they have done on this matter. As I said, the process is ongoing and the tender package is being prepared around the new environmental impact assessment, EIA, for the project. We will await the outcome of that.

One thing I was conscious of at the launch of the strategic plan was that Waterways Ireland is showing a level of ambition for our waterways that is very exciting and not just here in Dublin. It has ambition along the Grand Canal in respect of live-aboards and living communities. There is also the North-South element to the organisation. It has been a challenge from a political perspective not having institutions in place. At the same time, Waterways Ireland has continued its good work. This project in particular will, over time, deliver immense benefits, in particular for rural communities along the waterways. They will benefit from the development that has taken place in recent years.