David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made with regard to the establishment ofthe Ulster Canal. [178621]Angela Smith: The updated Economic Appraisal on re- opening the Ulster Canal in its entirety is currently with both Governments forconsideration. As re-opening is not viable in purely monetary terms, it will be difficult to secure Government funding for thissignificant capital project. I welcome the supporting efforts of organisations such as the Inland Waterways Association of Irelandwhose application for INTERREG III(A) funding to re-open a south-western section of the Ulster Canal is proceeding through theassessment system.