Work is continuing to progress to restore the peatland habitat on Cuilcagh Mountain in Co Fermanagh.

Finance Minister Conor Murphy visited the Special Area of Conservation earlier this week to hear about the work taking place.

The Collaborative Action for the Natural Network (CANN) project is completing work on the site with €9.4m of funding under the cross-border INTERREG VA programme.

Minister Murphy spoke to various partners from the CANN project including Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Ulster Wildlife.

"I am delighted to have visited Cuilcagh Mountain boardwalk which is just one of many must-see visitor attractions in Fermanagh," said Minister Murphy.

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"It was great to see first-hand how funding from the INTERREG VA programme is being utilised by this cross-border environmental project of the Collaborative Action for the Natura Network to help improve the condition of protected habitats and species within the area.

"Protecting our heartlands and the species within them is vitally important. This project being led by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is a great example of effective collaboration between local authorities, research institutions, charities and the local cross border communities working towards a common goal of improving the environmental condition of Special Areas of Conservation."

Jennifer Fulton, Chief Executive of Ulster Wildlife Trust, added: "Restoring peatland offers significant value for money preventing the loss of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and in their long-term removal and storage. They are a source of clean water and can reduce the risk of damaging and expensive flash floods downstream, not to mention the cultural and amenity value of these beautiful and biodiverse habitats.

"It was great to have the Minister visit today to show him how the INTERREG VA funding is being applied, whilst demonstrating the benefits that investing in our peatlands pays dividends annually."