EVERYONE WANTS A GREENWAY LIKE THAT THAT IS NOW OPEN BETWEEN WESTPORT AND ACHILL BUT THE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO DEVELOP SUCH FACILITIES ARE LIMITED. THAT’S ACCORDING TO THE MINISTER FOR TOURISM MICHAEL RING.

THE MINISTER SAYS WHILE FAILTE IRELAND MAY WELL BE FULLY BEHIND A NUMBER OF PROPOSALS FOR SIMILARE DEVELOPMENTS NATIONWIDE THE REALITY IS THAT TOUGH DECISIONS ON FUNDING MUST BE MADE BY GOVERNMENT AND THEN GREENWAYS AND OTHER DEVELOPMENTS WILL HAVE TO BE PRIORITISED AS BUDGETS ARE CUT ACROSS DEPARTMENTS BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.

MINISTER RING WAS RESPONDING TO A REPORT THAT FAILTE IRELAND IS FULLY BACKING A 6 MILLION EURO CYCLE-WALKWAY ALONG THE OLD GALWAY TO CLIFDEN RAILWAY LINE.

HE SAID WHILE IT IS A GREAT IDEA, THE REALITY IS THAT GOVERNMENT FUNDING HAS NOT YET BEEN SECURED FOR THAT DEVELOPMENT AND NO DECISION WILL BE MADE ON FUNDING FOR THIS GREENWAY AND OTHER SIMILAR ROUTES ACROSS THE COUNTRY UNTIL AFTER SEPTEMBER.