Mr. Liam Hannaway:

Yes. It is probably more towards Warrenpoint than Newry. The other two options are high level. They would bring a person on a large suspension bridge located at a high level and connected into Clough roundabout. The options are all on the same road but two are at ground level and two are at a higher level. The two ground level options are in close proximity. They are similar to the Narrow Water Bridge because bridges will have to open and deal with traffic. The council is committed to the Narrow Water Bridge in terms of a tourism project and promoting tourism.

Ms Martin has talked about the car ferry option mentioned by Senator Black. On my way here today I received a phonecall from the developer of the project. He told me that he hopes to have the roadworks finished this side of Christmas and to start drive piling. He also hopes to have the ferry operational in May and has commenced his marketing plan. We are trying to complete the Northern side of the greenway with a view to starting on the second side that will join Newry with Carlingford. Our project is creating a level of the loop.

We are also, within the Newry, Mourne and Down development plan, considering greenways that will connect Newcastle. We are considering ways to connect Strangford Lough with Carlingford Lough in the long-term. We are building on the tourism potential for the south Down area.

The big issue for the southern relief road is that this time 12 months ago we had hoped to apply for status as a trans-European transport network, TEN-T, project. The roads Minister, Mr. Christopher Hazzard, was in Brussels and got a good hearing regarding the southern relief road as part of the TEN-T process but Brexit throws everything into the air with regard to funding, particularly whether we can attract European funding. The southern relief road is by no means a given either. The Narrow Water bridge and this project are sitting precariously because of considerations of where we will get funding. The Minister is committed to developing the environmental options and development proposals for the southern relief road. That is moving ahead. Ultimately, we need money to build the Narrow Water bridge and the southern relief road. These are strategic projects for our area.

Those are the answers to the main questions. There was a question about what can the committee do. I go back to the Fresh Start agreement, which indicates the Northern Ireland Executive and Irish Government agree to undertake a review of the project and identify options for future development that can be considered by the North-South Ministerial Council. We need it brought to a conclusion and whether both Governments will commit to develop the Narrow Water bridge. We must know what the Governments will commit to and how it can be developed. That is the answer we require. The process began with the signing of the Fresh Start agreement and it has been discussed at the North-South Ministerial Council. I know from November's meeting there is a commitment to meet stakeholders again in January. We must bring this to a conclusion as soon as possible. We urge this committee to work with us to bring that to a conclusion.