IW-JC-17-October-2007

1. The first NSMC Inland Waterways Sectoral meeting since the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly was held in Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan on Wednesday 17 October 2007.

2. The Irish Government was represented by Éamon Ó Cuív, TD., Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, who chaired the meeting.  The Northern Ireland delegation comprised Edwin Poots, MLA, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and Conor Murphy, MP, MLA, Minister for Regional Development.  

3. The Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland, Mr. John Martin reported to the Council on developments since the Council last met in this sector on 26 June 2002.

4. Significant Waterways Ireland achievements during this period included major work on restoration of the waterways including; restoration of the Royal Canal and the decision to proceed with the restoration of a section of the Ulster Canal. Ministers also welcomed progress on the new Headquarters building in Enniskillen, the opening of a Western regional office in Scarriff,Co Clare and the sponsorship of major sporting events such as the Classic Fishing Festival on Lough Erne, the world Ski Cup Championship in Enniskillen and the Triathlon in Athlone.(Tri Athlone)

5. The Council welcomed the decision of the NSMC Plenary meeting in July to proceed with the restoration of the Clones to Upper Lough Erne stretch of the Ulster Canal and agreed on how to proceed with this major infrastructural project.

Ministers agreed that Waterways Ireland should appoint a single entity consortium to design and construct the restoration of the Clones to Upper Lough Erne section of the Ulster Canal;

Ministers noted that the full capital cost (estimated at €35m/£23.8m) of the project will be met by the Irish Exchequer with annual maintenance costs on the completion of the project, in the order of €300,000/£201,000, to be met by the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government;

Waterways Ireland will establish a project team for the day to day management of the project which will report monthly on progress to a Monitoring Committee chaired jointly by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure;

Ministers stressed that  good local liaison will be key to the smooth running of the project and noted that Waterways Ireland will engage with all key stakeholders in taking forward the project; and

They welcomed Waterway Ireland’s intention to put in place a targeted marketing programme during construction to highlight the attractions and uniqueness of the Clones to Upper Lough Erne stretch of the Ulster Canal.

6. The Council discussed the future plans for Waterways Ireland for the period 2008-2010. They approved Waterways Ireland’s Business Plan for 2008 and its Corporate Plan 2008-2010, subject to budgetary considerations by the Northern Ireland Executive and the Irish Government.

7. The Council noted Waterways Ireland’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2005.

8. The Council agreed to proposals for a Compulsory Purchase Order and a number of Disposals.

9. The Council agreed to meet again in Inland Waterways Sectoral format in March 2008.