Brendan Smith Welcomes €40m Ulster Canal Funding for Border Region
Brendan Smith addressed the Dáil on the vulnerabilities of the central border region and welcomed the Taoiseach's allocation of €40 million from the Shared Island Fund for restoration of the Ulster Canal. He urged the National Economic and Social Council to examine opportunities and challenges for the central border region, highlighting its dependence on agri-food, construction and engineering.
Funding and project overview
He welcomed the decision to allocate €40 million from the Shared Island Fund for the restoration of the Ulster Canal, describing it as a very welcome and important cross-border project that will add to the tourism potential of the border region and the northern half of the country.
Call for targeted analysis
He said he had asked that the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) do a specific report on the opportunities and challenges for the central border region, naming Cavanagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh as areas of focus and stressing the region's vulnerability to adverse Brexit impacts.
Economic context and precedent
He highlighted the central border region's dependence on the agri-food sector, construction and engineering products. He pointed to the Shannon-Erdan/Erne Waterway project undertaken by the Fianna Fáil party in government in the 1990s as a farsighted, innovative and forward-thinking example, noting that at the time many said it was impossible but it has proven a marvellous success.
Government response and next steps
The Taoiseach agreed to consider asking NESC to undertake work on the central border region and described the Ulster Canal restoration as a significant piece of work. The Taoiseach said funds have been allocated so the project can go the full distance, with hopes to go to tender and progress works at Arrowwater Bridge as part of completion.
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The Taoiseach I raised with you in this house before the particular challenges facing the central border region should there be adverse impacts from Brexit in the future. We are the most vulnerable part of the border region and we are very dependent, as you know, on the agri-food sector, construction and engineering and construction products as well. Could I just say that I have asked that maybe the National Economic and Social Council would do a specific report on the opportunities and the challenges for the central border region, both north and south. I am thinking of Cavanagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Armagh as well. In that context, Taoiseach, I very much welcome your decision last week to allocate €40 million from the Shared Island Fund for the restoration of the Ulster Canal. This is a very welcome and extremely important decision and this project will be a wonderful cross-border project, adding to the tourism potential of the border region and the northern half of the country. And, of course, the restoration of the canal of the Ulster Canal as a major cross-border project will enhance considerably the tourism product for our island. And, of course, this is building on the success of the Shannon-Erdan Waterway, which was undertaken by the Fianna Fáil party in government in the 1990s, which was very farsighted, innovative and forward-thinking. And at that time, every political group in this country said it was impossible. It has turned out to be a marvellous success and it is great to see a follow-on project that will enhance considerably our tourism infrastructure. And, Taoiseach, in the context of the Shared Island, we need further type of investment at that to build on the natural strengths of the border area and other areas as well for the benefit of the all-Ireland economy. Thank you. Taoiseach. Question 15. And the central border region certainly, I agree and I will give consideration to asking NESC if they are in a position to do some work on the central border region and the opportunities for it. I think you're correct in relation to the Ulster Canal. I think it's a very significant piece of work and I'm looking forward to its completion and hopefully we can go to Tender and Arrowwater Bridge as well. But we've allocated the money so that we can go the full distance and complete the entire project. Thank you.
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