Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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I too welcome the representatives from the Chambers of Commerce in Warrenpoint and Dundalk. This is a very serious matter, as previous speakers have said. This project must be completed in the short term. It is of significance to the whole island of Ireland. The objective is to ensure that two communities can integrate with one another in as short a period of time as possible, across what is a very short bridge. The economic gains to be had from the completion of this project, as stressed by Mr. Malone and Mr. Boylan, cannot be overstated. It is imperative that this committee provide whatever assistance is needed to bring this project to completion as soon as possible. The Labour Party members of this committee have been raising this issue with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, for some time and will continue to do so. We must ensure that the North-South, east-west political aspect of this issue is at the top of the agenda. We must ensure this project is given priority because it will reinvigorate Counties Louth and Down, drawing tourists to those areas from all over the country. The bridge will shorten trips for the local community by 40 minutes, which is a significant amount of time, particularly for business people. The bridge will also enable the development of a new empathy between the communities on both sides of the Border, as well as improving employment and economic prospects in the area. It is a wonderful area to visit from a tourism perspective and has enormous potential for further development. We should not let that potential go untapped for the sake of what is, in today's terms, a small amount of money. In terms of investment, the sum involved really is quite small. It is disappointing that the project is being delayed. There is enormous potential here and this committee must continue to press this issue and prioritise it.