Councils need to work together to maximise benefit of Ulster Canal - Burns
Monaghan County Council plans to liaise with the local authorities in Cavan and Fermanagh, and is already engaging with Waterways Ireland and Tourism Ireland, to identify now the maximum benefit that can be delivered to the region when the Ulster Canal regeneration project is fully completed and operational.
This was stated by Chief Executive Robert Burns at the July meeting of Monaghan County Council, when there was widespread welcome for the recent announcement of an additional €30 million in Shared Island funding for phase three of the canal restoration.
Mr Burns said the funding will facilitate the completion of the navigable section of the canal and link Clones with the Erne system. Monaghan County Council has done its part with planning consents and it seems everything is now in place to proceed with the project’s completion, he added.
“This project is absolutely transformational – it is a great opportunity and now is the time to plan for it,” said the chief executive, outlining the linkages the council plans to pursue in this regard.
Cllr Pat Treanor (SF) agreed that now is the time for the council to begin planning to take full advantage of the project’s final delivery. He said the recent Shared Ireland allocation is a great opportunity to leverage funding from the British Government to commence work on the canal section in Northern Ireland.
Cllr Seamus Coyle (FF) said SF has a role to play in the North in agitating for work on the section of the project there to be expedited. The latest funding announcement is “a good news story for County Monaghan and the whole region”, Cllr Coyle added, noting that when Taoiseach Michaél Martin established the Shared Island Fund he made it clear that the completion of the Ulster Canal restoration would be a priority.
Cllr Richard Truell (FG) complimented former Cavan/Monaghan TD and Government Minister Heather Humphreys on the role she played in advancing the Ulster Canal project.
“I hope this is not a white elephant like Belturbet and boats end up coming to Clones,” Cllr Truell added, claiming that there are still a lot of negative attitudes towards the project, with some people saying "€30 million for this, and look at our roads".