Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegates here today. This project has positive potential written all over it. The presentations outlined clearly the new opportunities, the safety aspect, the employment potential, the tourism benefits, the connectivity and so on associated with this project. It ticks all the boxes. The delegates are not here today to go through the motions, they want this committee and others to be champions for change. The responsibility lies with the members of this committee.

In the past people felt let down regarding this agreement between two Governments that was affected by the financial crisis. What is causing the blockage at the moment? Is the problem financial or political? Is it the case that people may say one thing but the dead hand still applies? Where does the dead hand come from? Is it simply the case that there is insufficient funding at the moment but there will be enough in future so the can is being kicked up the road? When we spoke of this project previously we outlined elements that could proceed north and south of the Border. The delegates referred to elements that have already undergone environmental impact assessments so the next step is to get the two Governments on board. Everyone involved in the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly and other interest groups has committed to this project. The next step is at a different level so the responsibility lies with all of us, as elected representatives, to do as much as we can. We must commit to raising this issue in every forum possible. I hope we can push it forward.

As I said, this project has positive potential written all over it and I appreciate the professionalism of the delegates before us today.