CUT TO FUNDING FOR ULSTER CANAL CO-ORDINATOR SLAMMED

A motion calling on Minister Phil Hogan to reverse his decision to cease funding to Clones Regeneration Partnership for the employment of the project co-ordinator to continue the ongoing development work by Clones Regeneration Partnership in preparation for the re-opening of the Ulster Canal received the full support of members of Clones Town Council at a meeting on Tuesday evening.
Moving the motion Fianna Fáil councillor and member of Clones Regeneration Partnership Deirdre Kelly said that Gerry Darby had done wonderful work to raise the profile of the Ulster Canal and the amount of money needed to employ him was minimal when the amount of work he did was taken into consideration.
“This is very bad timing as the Ulster Canal project is at a vital stage. I would ask the councillors to get on to the T.Ds as it is a relatively small amount of money. It’s very important that Gerry is kept on,” stated Councillor Kelly.
Fellow Regeneration Partnership member and Sinn Féin councillor Pat Treanor felt it was necessary to point out that the funding cut did not mean the end of the Ulster Canal project.
He explained that Waterways Ireland had met with members of Monaghan County Council recently with responses to issues raised that related to the project.
Cllr Treanor said that these responses would go out for public consultation for a period of four weeks and if no further submissions were received planning permission for the Ulster Canal project would be granted.
Fine Gael councillor Peter Mulligan stated …