– Time is running out for this “shovel ready” project –
Fianna Fáil TD for Louth and East Meath Declan Breathnach, spokesperson on North-South Bodies and Cross-Border Co-Operation has again called on the Taoiseach and on Minister Simon Coveney, and Minister Shane Ross to ensure completion of the Narrow Water Bridge.
“As part of the Programme for a Partnership Government there is a clear commitment to working with the Northern Ireland Executive to progress the Narrow Water Bridge. This should proceed, despite the political uncertainty in the North”, said Breathnach.
“There is an urgency in dealing with it, so we can’t use the lack of agreement between the parties in the North as the Planning Permission in the North is due to expire in October, unless a mechanism can be found at Local Government level to extend or renew the Planning Permission. Already €2.3 million has been spent on the design and as this project is “shovel ready” it is imperative that we pursue it’s progression and request that monies from the DUP deal be ring-fenced for the Narrow Water Bridge. While the planning issue is a difficulty that is looming my reason for raising it is to ensure that the Narrow Water Bridge gets funding approval from North and South within the timescale of the current planning.
“When the Peace Process came about there was a proposal to erect a monument to celebrate Peace, and this was shelved due to recession and lack of funding.”
“The Narrow Water Bridge could be seen as a symbol of peace linking our communities North and South. It will provide a natural interconnector for the scenic areas of Cooley, Gullion and Mourne and we could argue strongly for the Ireland’s Ancient East to be extended into counties Armagh, Down and Antrim.”