MINISTER QUELLS DOUBTS OVER ULSTER CANAL

At the request of the Clones Regeneration Partnership a meeting was held with the Minister for Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, Mr Jimmy Deenihan TD on Thursday last and attended by Brian Morgan, Chairman of Clones Regeneration Partnership, Cllr Pat Treanor, Director and Gerry Darby, Project Manager to discuss the Clones to Upper Lough Erne stretch of the Ulster Canal.

The meeting was also attended by all 5 Oireachtas Members for the Constituency, Deputy Heather Humphreys, Deputy Caoimhghin O’Caolain, Deputy Sean Conlon, Deputy Joe O’Reilly, & Deputy Brendan Smith.

Speaking afterwards Deputy Humphreys complimented the members of Clones Regeneration Partnership for organising the meeting and for their continued work and efforts in progressing the Ulster Canal Project.   She emphasised how important this project was for the local economy and also as a cross border project it further cements the continued commitment to Peace & Reconciliation.

“In these difficult economic times the Ulster Canal project is a beacon of light for the people of Clones and the wider area and gives us hope for better days to come in the economic regeneration of this area,” said Deputy Humphreys.

“I want to thank Minister Deenihan for the great interest he has shown in the Ulster Canal and welcome his continued commitment to the project.  At the meeting he acknowledged that we are working within very tight financial budgets but he once again confirmed this was a priority project for him that had the support of Waterways Ireland and he is committed to its construction over the coming years.  The Minister has set up an Inter-Agency Group in his Department to look at leveraging funding from other sources and he pointed out the opportunities that could be explored through establishing links with the Irish Diaspora particularly from Co Monaghan and identifying people who may be very interested in supporting a project such as the Ulster Canal.

“The meeting was extremely positive and Minister Deenihan made it very clear that the Ulster Canal and in particular the Clones to Upper Lough Erne stretch is a priority project for him and I am confident that through the combined efforts of Clones Regeneration Partnership, Clones Town Council, Monaghan County Council, and the Oireachtas Members the Ulster Canal will be a reality in the next few years,” concluded Deputy Humphreys.

At the request of the Clones Regeneration Partnership a meeting was held with the Minister for Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, Mr Jimmy Deenihan TD on Thursday last and attended by Brian Morgan, Chairman of Clones Regeneration Partnership, Cllr Pat Treanor, Director and Gerry Darby, Project Manager to discuss the Clones to Upper Lough Erne stretch of the Ulster Canal.

The meeting was also attended by all 5 Oireachtas Members for the Constituency, Deputy Heather Humphreys, Deputy Caoimhghin O’Caolain, Deputy Sean Conlon, Deputy Joe O’Reilly, & Deputy Brendan Smith.

Speaking afterwards Deputy Humphreys complimented the members of Clones Regeneration Partnership for organising the meeting and for their continued work and efforts in progressing the Ulster Canal Project.   She emphasised how important this project was for the local economy and also as a cross border project it further cements the continued commitment to Peace & Reconciliation.

“In these difficult economic times the Ulster Canal project is a beacon of light for the people of Clones and the wider area and gives us hope for better days to come in the economic regeneration of this area,” said Deputy Humphreys.

“I want to thank Minister Deenihan for the great interest he has shown in the Ulster Canal and welcome his continued commitment to the project.  At the meeting he acknowledged that we are working within very tight financial budgets but he once again confirmed this was a priority project for him that had the support of Waterways Ireland and he is committed to its construction over the coming years.  The Minister has set up an Inter-Agency Group in his Department to look at leveraging funding from other sources and he pointed out the opportunities that could be explored through establishing links with the Irish Diaspora particularly from Co Monaghan and identifying people who may be very interested in supporting a project such as the Ulster Canal.

“The meeting was extremely positive and Minister Deenihan made it very clear that the Ulster Canal and in particular the Clones to Upper Lough Erne stretch is a priority project for him and I am confident that through the combined efforts of Clones Regeneration Partnership, Clones Town Council, Monaghan County Council, and the Oireachtas Members the Ulster Canal will be a reality in the next few years,” concluded Deputy Humphreys.