Funding north-south greenways is an important step towards an island-wide network of greenways across the island of Ireland, the Taoiseach has said.Taoiseach Michel Martin said: I am very pleased to announce funding to advance development of four greenway schemes in the border region through the Shared Island Greenways Development Fund. This funding will help progress four schemes Sligo to Enniskillen, Lifford to Derry, Derry to Buncrana and Warrenpoint to Newcastle through design and planning phases.Building on the success of the Carlingford Lough Greenway and the North West Greenway Network, the development of these new routes will improve connectivity, generate sustainable tourism and recreation, and boost the local economy in each region, he said.The Taoiseach added: This is also an important step towards creating an island-wide greenway network to link the Atlantic coast with the Eastern seaboard across the border region a key objective under the revised National Development Plan.The comments were made in statment issued as the Government approved Department of Transport Shared Island Funding of 25,000/21,581 for the preliminary design development work on the Warrenpoint and Newcastle route in County Down; Shared Island Funding of around 350,000/ 302,125 for the Sligo to Enniskillen greenway, 260,000/ 224,463 for the Derry to Buncrana route, and 137,500/118,706 for the Lifford to Derry scheme.There is also Department for Infrastructure funding of 20,000/23,200 confirmed for the Warrenpoint and Newcastle greenway, with further Northern Ireland funding to be approved.The Republics Minister for Transport, Darragh OBrien said: Greenways have represented a tremendous success for rural Ireland showcasing our beautiful landscape, bringing visitors to overlooked areas and helping small local businesses to thrive as well as providing an outdoor recreational facility that all members of the community can enjoy.I welcome todays funding announcement for Greenways in the border region which reflects the Governments commitment to balanced regional development and all-island collaboration through the Shared Island initiative. This fund will support local authorities in delivering these projects, he said.Northern Irelands Minister for Infrastructure, Liz Kimmins, said: Through collaborative working with our counterparts in the Government of Ireland, Im delighted that funding has been identified to further expand our cross-border greenway network and to build on the success achieved to date.She added: Cross-border greenways provide a transformative opportunity to enhance sustainable transport, tourism and regional connectivity. This funding demonstrates commitment to further develop sustainable transport on a cross-border basis. This all enhances the island of Ireland as a place where people want to live and work, to visit and invest.The Irish Government said that the Shared Island Greenways Development Fund will support the implementation of the National Development Plan objective to continue development of an island-wide greenway network to link the Atlantic coast with the Eastern seaboard across the border region.All four greenways are in the pre-planning stages, with funding allocated to planning, environmental screening, and design work. All of the greenways will require millions to reach completion. The Department of Transport outlined the current funding use for greenways as follows: Sligo to EnniskillenFunding will be provided to support project costs associated with closing out Phase 3: Design and Environmental Evaluation for this cross-border route.Derry to BuncranaFunding will be provided to support project costs associated with closing out Phase 3: Design and Environmental Evaluation for section in County Donegal. Funding is available to progress the scheme in County Derry to enabling works (prior to construction)Warrenpoint to NewcastleFunding will be provided to support project costs associated with completing a feasibility study for this proposed route in County Down.Lifford-DerryFunding will be provided to support project costs associated with close out Phase 3: Design and Environmental Evaluation for section in County Donegal. Funding is available to ensure a connection with the Foyle Valley Greenway is progressed in County Derry.IMAGE: File image of a greenway.