41 Mr. A. Reynolds asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the updated programme for the re-opening of the Royal Canal throughout County Longford; and when it is to be initiated. [29739/00]

221 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the amount of funding provided for the restoration programme for the Royal Canal from Abbeyshrule to Clondra, County Westmeath; the likely timescale to completion; the nature of the works to be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30347/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 221 together.

As Deputies are aware, Waterways Ireland, a North-South Implementation Body for inland waterways, was established on 2 December 1999 on foot of the British-Irish Agreement and the supplementary Implementation Bodies Agreement signed in March 1999. It has the functions of management, maintenance, development and restoration of certain inland navigable waterways systems throughout the island, principally for recreational purposes.