Extracts from the Joint Communiqué issued after the 11th Plenary Meeting of the North South Ministerial Council on 21 January 2011:
3. Ministers discussed a range of common challenges and shared views on the economy, the banks and NAMA. They recognised the constraints on budgets in both jurisdictions and the ongoing discussions between the two Finance Ministers to identify potential cost savings through co-operation and sharing were welcomed. There was a desire to maximise access to EU funding and
resources.6. Ministers noted the Progress Report on the ten NSMC meetings which have been held since the last Plenary meeting in July 2010 and welcomed the mutually beneficial co-operation taken forward including that:
[…] The restoration of the Royal Canal to reconnect it to the Shannon has been completed and a preferred route for the Clones to Upper Lough Erne section of the Ulster Canal has been identified.
No exciting announcement there, so the bulldozers have not yet been set rolling on the Clones Canal. Phew. Maybe we’ve had to choose between the canal to Clones and the road to Londonderry/Derry and the road has won ….
Irish waterways history 