IW JC 23 November 2001

1. A meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in the Inland Waterways Sector was held in Carrick-On Shannon, County Leitrim on Friday 23 November 2001. The meeting dealt with issues relating to Waterways Ireland, which is one of the six North/South Implementation Bodies.

2. The Irish Government was represented by Ms Mary Coughlan, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht & the Islands who chaired the meeting. The Northern Ireland Administration was represented by Mr Michael McGimpsey MLA, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, and Dr Seán Farren, MLA, Minister for Employment and Learning.

3. The Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland, Mr John Martin, presented a report to the Council on developments in the period June to November 2001.

The Director for Finance and Personnel has commenced work this week and the two further new directors will shortly be taking up their posts and consultants have been engaged to manage the recruitment process for the remaining administrative and technical posts. Advertisements for these posts are to be placed in papers in coming weeks.

A Marketing and Promotions Strategy for Waterways Ireland is being prepared. Among a number of initiatives, Waterways Ireland intends to hold a number of seminars, where all interested parties will be invited to give their views on marketing and on wider issues affecting the use of waterways.

The major capital projects on the Grand and Royal Canals and the Lough Erne Moorings are progressing and a contract for a major road bridge on the Royal Canal was let recently. Three major navigation projects at Limerick, Ballinasloe and Boyle are now completed and open to boats. The official opening of the Limerick Project took place in July 2001 and the other two will be officially opened early in the new season.

A Feasibility Study on the reopening of the Ulster Canal is being considered by officials of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and both Finance Departments. Wider consultation in the matter will follow.

4. The Council received a progress report on Accommodation matters. Waterways Ireland Headquarters is currently based in interim premises in Enniskillen though progress is ongoing to obtain a permanent base. It is estimated that the whole process from selecting the preferred option to occupation of the chosen building will be completed by the end of 2003. It is envisaged that the permanent Regional Office in Scarriff will be ready for occupation in 2003. Waterways Ireland has recently secured an interim premises for the Carrick-on-Shannon office. Refurbishment of the premises is at an advanced stage and it is envisaged that staff will move in early in the New Year.

5. The NSMC noted Waterways Ireland's first Annual Report which was presented to the Council. In so doing the Council again acknowledged Waterways Ireland's role in protecting and developing the waterway heritage of the island. The report will be published shortly.

6. A range of topics to be addressed by Waterways Ireland during 2002 was considered by the NSMC.

The main operational objectives for 2002 were identified as:

Business related to the North/South Language Body

7. The NSMC received a report on the outcome of the recent competition to select a Chief Executive for Foras na Gaeilge and agreed to offer the post to Mr Seosamh Mac Donnacha.

8.

The Council agreed to meet again in this Sector in Northern Ireland in March 2002.

Joint Secretariat

23 November 2001