Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fail TD Brendan Smith has welcomed confirmation by Minister Eamon Ryan that funding has now been approved in respect of feasibility, planning and design work for the Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Greenway through Blacklion and also the Cavan Railway Greenway from Cavan to Drummully and from Cloverhill to Belturbet.
In reply to my Parliamentary Question in Dáil Éireann on Wednesday, 29th July the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport stated –
“Today I announced funding of €4.5m to 26 Greenway Projects. The funding was allocated under the Carbon Tax Fund 2020 and provides support for feasibility, planning and design for Greenways around the country. I am pleased to confirm that funding of €175,000 has been allocated to Cavan County Council for two sections of the Cavan Railway Greenway, from Cavan to Drumully and from Cloverhill to Belturbet. In addition funding of €500,000 has been allocated to Leitrim County Council to progress the Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Greenway from Collooney to Blacklion”, stated Minister Ryan.
“These approvals are welcome and the development of greenways provide an additional recreational outlet for local residents and also attract visitors and they enhance considerably the tourism potential of areas. I compliment Cavan County Council and other local authorities involved in progressing these applications.
I am glad that a specific reference was included in the Programme for Government for the Sligo Leitrim and Northern Counties Greenway and the importance of this project on a cross-border basis is clearly shown as it is also referenced in the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ of the Northern Ireland Executive”, concluded Deputy Brendan Smith.