Senators Barrett and Quinn have raised the question of walkways and tourism, and the utilising of the old railway lines. I am glad to announce that in conjunction with the water augmentation scheme from Cooley to Omeath via Carlingford, a walkway is being built between Carlingford and Omeath.

The walkway will be located along one of the most beautiful and picturesque loughs in the country and it is planned to extend it subsequently across the Border via the Newry Canal and River Clanrye to Portadown. I am not sure how long the route will be, but I expect it will be approximately 40 km in length. The walkway will be a significant tourist attraction for all the towns and villages along the route, from Carlingford and Omeath on the Cooley Peninsula to Newry and beyond. This is another cross-Border initiative which indicates to me and the wider population that peace has returned to this island. I hope we will never have a return to the Troubles. I acknowledge the co-operation of landowners along the route who have facilitated this project, which will provide a tremendous tourism boost for Carlingford and the Cooley Peninsula.