Dedicated search page with advanced search options

IW JC 4 July 2008

North South Ministerial Council

Inland Waterways Sectoral Format

Limavady, Friday 4 July 2008

Joint Communique

1.  The seventh North South Ministerial Council meeting in Inland Waterways sectoral format was held in the Radisson Roe Hotel, Limavady, on Friday 4 July 2008.
2.  The Northern Ireland Executive was represented by Gregory Campbell, MP MLA, Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure and Conor Murphy, MP MLA, Minister for Regional Development.  The Irish Government was represented by Éamon Ó Cuív, TD, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.  Minister Campbell chaired the meeting.

Progress Report

3.  The Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland, Mr John Martin reported to the Council on developments since the last meeting in October 2007. Significant achievements during this period included:
Continued progress on the restoration of the Royal Canal.
  • Continued progress on the restoration of the royal Canal
  • An additional 86 metres of public moorings were provided on the Royal Canal and the Shannon, increasing mooring capacity in Ireland by almost 7500 metres since 2000.
  • Projects delivered in Northern Ireland since the end of August 2007 included the provision of 283 metres of moorings on the Erne System and a 36 metre floating mooring and gangway on the Lower Bann, increasing mooring capacity by over 1900 metres since 2000.
  • Active promotion of the Lakelands Initiative.
  • The launch of the Accessible Sailing Initiative by Waterways Ireland at the London Boat Show in January 2008 in the company of Minister Poots and Minister Ó Cuív.  Waterways Ireland also exhibited at the Earls Court Boat Show in December 2007.
  • Work on the new Waterways Ireland Headquarters is on time and on budget and due for completion in August 2008.

Restoration of the Clones-Upper Lough Erne Section of the Ulster Canal

4.  The Council reviewed progress to date on this project  and noted that Waterways Ireland  had:
  • Consultations with the Clones Erne East Partnership and land owners.
  • Discussions with various relevant statutory agencies.
  • Commenced procedures to have the preliminary design undertaken.
  • Proposed that they manage the land acquisition in advance of letting the contract.

Waterways Ireland Future Plans

5.  The Council discussed Waterways Ireland’s revised Business Plan for 2008 and noted that the targets and budget will continue to be reviewed throughout the year. It also noted the impact of currency fluctuations on the value of the allocations.

Capital Expenditure Plans under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013

6.  The Council noted Waterways Ireland’s proposals for a programme of activity under the NDP2007-2013 which will include:
  • Completion of the reopening of the Royal Canal to boating traffic in 2009.
  • Completion of investigations and construction of extensions on the Shannon Navigation.
  • Consolidation of other existing navigations by improving access to and facilities and infrastructure.
  • Feasibility studies and preliminary design work on additional projects which might be taken forward if sufficient resources become available.
  • Preliminary investigations on a number of other waterways.

Annual Report and Accounts 2006

7.  The Council noted Waterways Ireland’s Annual Report and Accounts for 2006.

Property Matters

8.  The Council noted that Waterways Ireland has commenced a pilot study in relation to registration of property to assess the resources and the processes required to register all of its property.  The Council also noted that a tender has been awarded in respect of a pilot property registration of two areas of the canals in Dublin.

Compulsory Purchase Order and Disposals

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

Tourism and Marketing

10.  The Council welcomed the tourism and marketing initiatives of Waterways Ireland which include the key objectives of developing Waterways Ireland’s corporate identity, promoting greater use of the waterways, awareness creation and building a platform for sustained market development.

Next Meeting

11.  The Council agreed to meet again in Inland Waterways sectoral format in October 2008.
Joint Secretariat
4 July 2008
Back to Top