Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is an important infrastructural project for the north Louth-south Down area and for the region in general. As Mr. Boylan outlined, it could have tremendous economic and tourism benefits for the area with the potential for 270 jobs. That would only be the tip of the iceberg because it would be like opening up a Brigadoon to the rest of the country and tourists from abroad. It is a unique area which could attract many thousands of visitors annually. Having attended one of the meetings in Warrenpoint, we stopped at the Carrickdale Hotel on the way home, and I met two people from Navan, County Meath, who had spent five nights in Carlingford. They said if the bridge had been in place, they would have spent two weeks in the area. That is an example of the potential benefit to the region.

Mr. Boylan said the project would create and maintain employment. Mr. Malone was too modest to say he commissioned the McCardle report which had all the results for Dundalk two years before the gateway report. He has his finger on the button regarding economics in the Dundalk area. Mr. Boylan was passionate in his delivery but all of us in all parties are passionate about this project. It is not a political project for us anymore. We want to support Mr. Boylan in his quest to have this delivered and that is why it is important that this be promoted by everyone as a business project.

What are Mr. Boylan's fears? The project is at the stage where the bridge order has been advertised and the decision will be made by 15 June. The letter of offer from the Finance Ministry in the North will then issue. Are there fears that this might not happen? Has he information on the response to the bridge order advertisement?