The Irish government has given the green light to restore the Ulster Canal from the Shannon-Erne waterway to the International Scout Centre at Castle Saunderson in County Cavan.

The project, which is expected to cost in the region of €2m, will be undertaken by Waterways Ireland, which is a North-South Implementation Body jointly funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Department of Culture, Arts, and Leisure in Northern Ireland.

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Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, said:

"I am delighted that the Government has agreed to my proposal to restore the section of the Ulster Canal linking the Shannon-Erne waterway to Castle Saunderson.

"This project has the potential to act as a catalyst for the regeneration of this border area. It will provide a wonderful recreational facility for local communities and should act as a significant draw for tourists.

"The restoration of this 2.5km stretch of the Ulster Canal is shovel ready, with much of the preparatory work already completed. Since planning permission has already been secured, I look forward to the project progressing without delay for the benefit of local communities on both sides of the border."

(CD/JP)