Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I want to raise the matter of the Narrow Water bridge project, which has also been raised several times on the Dáil’s Order of Business. It seems to be running into severe difficulties, particularly at a time when we are talking about the peace dividend. The bridge would be the ultimate in symbolism and achievement as far as progress in the North is concerned in the 15 years that the peace has been building.

A ballpark figure for the project’s construction is €10 million. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has indicated he will support financially both local authorities North and South of the Border, Louth County Council, Newry and Mourne District Council and Down District Council, which are all interested in the project's going ahead. More importantly, the Special European Union Programmes Body, SEUPB, promised €17.4 million to the project. While the project has been in gestation for some time, unfortunately, several days ago the SEUPB secretariat indicated that because it was not possible to finalise the financial package, it would withdraw its offer of funding.

While there has been some toing and froing, the door is still ajar. Significant efforts are being made to move the project on and get it over the line. While I am not a full member of the committee, will it consider sending a message to the SEUPB secretariat asking it to afford three to four weeks to allow the various bodies and agencies involved to make one final effort to pull the package together?

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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The committee fully supported this project from day one. I will ask a full member of the committee to propose this.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose the committee write to the SEUPB secretariat to ask it not to withdraw the offer of support for the Narrow Water bridge project. Hopefully, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government will bridge the gap in funding.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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On Monday last, Louth County Council members, Oireachtas Members and a delegation made up of several local chambers of commerce met the Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness. That was a significant development.

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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We have been active on this project. Both Governments have committed to going ahead with it. It is in their hands. There is a small Unionist group that does not want it to go ahead, however. We are going back to the same old thing again.

Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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At this stage the most important point is that the SEUPB will hold off withdrawing its funding.

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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I am not disagreeing with the Deputy. It is up to our Government and the Executive in the North to prevent this EU funding from being stopped, however. That is the key to it.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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There are negotiations ongoing. Is it agreed that we send a letter to the SEUPB secretariat seeking more time and space? Agreed.

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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Senator Jim D’Arcy has been fighting for this relentlessly.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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He certainly has.

Mary White (Fianna Fail)
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It is a serious matter.