Inland Waterways Joint Communiqué 3 November 2010
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NORTH SOUTH MINISTERIAL COUNCIL
INLAND WATERWAYS SECTORAL FORMAT
NSMC JOINT SECRETARIAT OFFICES, ARMAGH
3 NOVEMBER 2010
JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
INLAND WATERWAYS SECTORAL FORMAT
NSMC JOINT SECRETARIAT OFFICES, ARMAGH
3 NOVEMBER 2010
JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ
1. The twelfth North South Ministerial Council meeting in Inland Waterways sectoral format was held at the NSMC Joint Secretariat offices in Armagh on 3 November 2010.
2. The meeting was attended by Nelson McCausland MLA, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Pat Carey TD, Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, and Caitríona Ruane MLA, Aire Oideachais. Minister McCausland chaired the meeting.
2. The meeting was attended by Nelson McCausland MLA, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Pat Carey TD, Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, and Caitríona Ruane MLA, Aire Oideachais. Minister McCausland chaired the meeting.
Progress Report
3. The Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland, Mr John Martin, presented a progress report including the following significant achievements:
- the provision of 490 metres of additional moorings this year.
- the maintenance programme continued on all the waterways in particular the tackling of extreme weed growth in the Erne and the canals.
- the provision of new publications to promote and support the use of the waterways and the sponsoring of key events in the waterways in 2010.
- completion of the restoration of the Royal Canal to reconnect it to the Shannon.
- the Lakelands and Inland Waterways initiative in relation to a marketing campaign for the Erne Shannon system continued in this period.
- The reopening of Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre on 20th July 2010.
Business Plan and Budget 2010
4. The Council approved the Waterways Ireland Business Plan and Budget for 2010.
4. The Council approved the Waterways Ireland Business Plan and Budget for 2010.
CORPORATE PLAN 2011-2013 AND BUSINESS PLAN AND BUDGET 2011
5. The Council discussed the main priorities for Waterways in 2011 and reviewed progress in finalising the corporate plan 2011- 2013 and the business plan and budget for 2011. Both Ministers recognise the challenges presented by the current economic climate and have agreed to work together to implement the measures agreed between both Ministers of Finance in the context of their respective budgetary processes.
5. The Council discussed the main priorities for Waterways in 2011 and reviewed progress in finalising the corporate plan 2011- 2013 and the business plan and budget for 2011. Both Ministers recognise the challenges presented by the current economic climate and have agreed to work together to implement the measures agreed between both Ministers of Finance in the context of their respective budgetary processes.
Restoration of the Clones-Upper Lough Erne Section of the Ulster Canal
6. The Council received a progress report on the restoration work for the Clones to Upper Lough Erne section of the Ulster Canal. The Council noted that work on the Strategic Environmental Assessment has been completed with work on the Environmental Impact Assessment due for completion in late 2010. They also noted that a preferred route had been identified.
6. The Council received a progress report on the restoration work for the Clones to Upper Lough Erne section of the Ulster Canal. The Council noted that work on the Strategic Environmental Assessment has been completed with work on the Environmental Impact Assessment due for completion in late 2010. They also noted that a preferred route had been identified.
The Future Potential of Waterways
7. The Council received a presentation from Waterways Ireland on the future potential of Waterways. The presentation focused on the economic benefits of the waterways to the local community, recreation industry, tourism industry and the local and national economy.
7. The Council received a presentation from Waterways Ireland on the future potential of Waterways. The presentation focused on the economic benefits of the waterways to the local community, recreation industry, tourism industry and the local and national economy.
Property disposals
8. The Council consented to a number of property disposals.
8. The Council consented to a number of property disposals.
Next Meeting
9. The Council agreed to meet again in Inland Waterways sectoral format in the Spring of 2011.
9. The Council agreed to meet again in Inland Waterways sectoral format in the Spring of 2011.
Joint Secretariat
3 November 2010
3 November 2010
