Ms Joan Martin:

I thank the Chairman for the invitation to make a presentation to the committee. I and Mr. Liam Hannaway will make a joint presentation. Members will already have a copy of our opening statement. To put it in context, our two councils have a long history of cross-Border co-operation dating back to 1976 when we both were founding members of the east Border region committee. In 1976, despite a history of back-to-back development and a very challenging political climate, which was not conducive to the notion of cross-Border co-operation, both councils realised the mutual benefit which could be gained through working in partnership. The introduction in later years of the EU-funded INTERREG programme and subsequent programmes during this time enabled both councils to collaborate on a whole series of projects which have enhanced the cross-Border region. Early projects in 1970s included the production of tourism promotional material such as The Land of Cchulainn and St. Patrick and building on our shared heritage and history. Other projects supporting crafts and small business were undertaken with the assistance of the early INTERREG programmes.

As trust and mutual respect developed between both councils, further co-operation projects were supported such as the Newry-Dundalk twinning committee, the Newry-Dundalk linkages programme, Newry-Dundalk mini-metropolis, and most notably, the signing of a memorandum of understanding, MOU, between both councils in 2011. This MOU was launched in the Northern Ireland Executive office in Brussels and was hailed by the then head of INTERREG, Colin Woolfe, as the "first of its kind" in Europe. This confirmed the high level of cross-Border co-operation which had developed within our region.

Moving on to the Narrow Water Bridge project specifically, that concept can also be traced back to the 1970s. An extract from TheNewry Reporter in January of 1976 reads: "Councillors from both sides of the border met in Newry ... and gave their backing to a proposal to build a bridge linking Omeath and Warrenpoint". For those who may not be familiar with this project, the picture in our presentation shows Carlingford Lough looking towards the sea and members can see the small bridge where the there is a spit of land at the narrowest point. That picture shows a virtual bridge, as it is not built yet. Since 1976, the Narrow Water Bridge project has been a strategic objective of both councils but, throughout the years the significant costs associated with the scheme have made the realisation of the project prohibitive. From 2010 Louth County Council progressed the scheme, with some funding from central government from the Department of Transport, and by 2013 most of the preliminary work, including design, planning permissions, vesting orders and so on had been completed but the capital element eluded us.

In 2013, the INTERREG IVA programme represented the first real opportunity to source significant funding for the capital element of the Narrow Water Bridge project. A funding application prepared by Louth County Council and Newry and Mourne District Council in conjunction with the east Border region was successful and €17.4 million was secured. Unfortunately, the actual capital cost was significantly higher than the grant available. As I recall, it was around €34 million. Despite concerted and considerable efforts by all involved, we were unable to realise the shortfall and had to relinquish the INTERREG moneys in 2014 as otherwise they would have been lost to Ireland and to Northern Ireland. This was extremely disappointing, not only for both councils but for the people of the region who had been very vociferous in their support for this strategic project. The project remains a strategic priority for both councils. For example, it is included in Louth County Council's county development plan as a strategic project, but in the absence of outside funding, the capital element cannot be progressed. Since that time in 2014, both councils have continued to lobby both Governments to support the scheme. Mr. Liam Hannaway might deal with some of the more recent developments.