AQW 3631/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 27/09/2022
Answered On Date: 17/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail what plans he has, or work he has done, to explore linking the redeveloped Ulster Canal with Lough Neagh and the Lower Bann.

Answer:

Waterways Ireland has North South Ministerial Council approval to explore the restoration of the Ulster Canal from Lough Erne to Clones and work is currently underway on that stretch of canal.

The restoration of the Ulster Canal from Clones to Lough Neagh remains a long-term goal and is an expressed commitment in both the Stormont House Agreement, A Fresh Start: The Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan and in the New Decade New Approach agreement.

In the absence of an Executive and the North South Ministerial Council there are no plans, at present, to restore the stretch of canal from Clones to Lough Neagh, this matter will be kept under review.