Irish government to contribute £197m to cross-border rail services

Phase 3, from Clonfad to Castle Saunderson, is the major blueway stage of the restoration project, and consists of 10km (6.2 miles) of new and refurbished navigable canal, linking Clones to the Erne System and the Shannon-Erne waterway.A new 9km (5.5 miles) section Ulster Canal Greenway will be developed as part of the project, running from Clones to Gortnacarrow.Getty ImagesLough Neagh, the UK's largest freshwater lake, has been blighted by blue-green algae in recent yearsLough Neagh will also receive a €33m (£28m) contribution from the Shared Island Fund for a new Lough Neagh Catchment Area Water Quality (LNWQ) programme.The money comes after politicians discussed algae issues at Lough Neagh at North South Ministerial Council meetings.The programme will implement physical measures along with resourcing, knowledge-exchange and collaboration to support necessary action to improve water quality in the Lough Neagh catchment and address the ecological challenges affecting the area.Getty ImagesMicheál Martin said the government made a "major investment"A further €13.5m (£12m) from the Shared Island Fund will provide for 1,000 additional places for early years educators to upskill and with 40% of these new places dedicated for participants from Northern Ireland.