Ó CUÍV ANNOUNCES WATERWAYS IRELAND PROGRAMME OF CAPITAL WORKS FOR THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2007-2013

Tuesday 11 March 2008

Éamon Ó Cuív today announced details of Waterways Ireland's programme of capital works for the National Development Plan 2007 - 2013.

Waterways Ireland is a North South Body established under the British-Irish Agreement Act of 1999 to manage Ireland's inland navigable waterways principally for recreational purposes. The NDP makes provision of €75 million for the improvement of the infrastructure and environs of the waterways. The proposed programme of works, to be carried out by Waterways Ireland, builds on the substantial infrastructure improvements on the waterways carried out under the NDP 2000-2006.

National Development Plan 2007-2013
The programme proposed is as follows:

Completion of the re-opening of the Royal Canal to boating traffic in 2009.

Restoration of a stretch of the Ulster Canal from Upper Lough Erne to Clones, by agreement with the Northern Ireland Executive. The funding for this project will come from the development of own resources by Waterways Ireland.

Completion of a number of extensions and other works on the Shannon Navigation.

 Shannon River from Lough Allen to Annagh Upper towards Dowra.
 Extension of navigation to Glasson, Co. Westmeath.
 Completion of moorings at Ballina/Killaloe.
 Completion of moorings at Kilglass, Co. Roscommon.

Consolidation of other existing navigations by improving access to and facilities and infrastructure on, and adjacent to, these navigations through provision of additional moorings and other facilities.

Construction of a Regional Office at Carrick-on-Shannon; the construction of offices, depot, workshops and stores at Thomastown on the Royal Canal; and the construction of new stores in Portumna and Tullamore.

Feasibility studies and preliminary design work for the following priority projects to assess their viability and to allow decisions be made before the end of the NDP subject to availability of resources:

 Extension of navigation to Lough Oughter and to Killeshandra.

 Re-opening of the Longford Branch of the Royal Canal.

Speaking at the launch Minister Ó Cuív said:

"Canal restoration projects have been shown to act as the catalyst for significant regeneration of rural communities in the past, including tourism growth. As these waterways run through some of the less developed areas of the country, their potential for acting as regeneration catalysts in this manner is considerable. The restoration of the Ballinamore canal for example and the Ulster canal project has attracted support from both sides of the border and both communities in Northern Ireland"

Preliminary investigations will also commence on a number of other waterways to allow consideration to be given to their reconstruction at a future date:

By the end of the NDP, Waterways Ireland expects to have in place a further 3,750m of moorings, 70km of new or improved waterway and a range of facilities such as service blocks, pump-outs, car parks, etc. This will ensure a waterway system with improved access for all, which will provide an enjoyable amenity for boat users, walkers, anglers, etc, and where people can enjoy a quiet peaceful time in relaxing circumstances.

Also speaking at the launch, John Martin, Chief Executive, Waterways Ireland said: "The NDP Plan 2000-2006 benefited users of the waterways and the local waterway economies through an expansion of the recreational amenities of the waterways for domestic and overseas visitors. The 2007-2013 Plan provides potential for the extension of the waterways network to further destinations and even greater development and enhancement of our most valuable natural resource for the benefit of all".

Full details are set out in the Waterways Ireland Programme of capital works for the National Development Plan 2007-2013.

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Issued by the Press & Information Office of the Dept. of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs
Tel: 01 647 3130 Fax: 01 667 0826 Sinéad Copeland 087 7956378Email: eolas@pobail.ie Website: www.pobail.ie

From left: Minister Éamon Ó Cuív, Brian D'Arcy, John Martin and Layla de Cogan Chin (Media Advisor, Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs) in the Press Centre, Government Buildings, Dublin.