Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To be honest with the Deputy, I would like to see it happen but I think we have to go through the analysis of the tenders. As I said, there was a shortfall of approximately €15 million between the estimate and the tenders that came in.

I know the local authority in Louth has convened a meeting this Friday to discuss how this might continue to be supported along with Newry and Mourne. I think that is good. I assume it will not have on its desk the analysis of why the tenders were so greatly in excess of the estimate that was received in the first place. It is not a case of the Government or the Department here deciding to take full responsibility for this. There was always the shared concept of doing this. Having spoken to personnel from the Assembly and the Executive, I am aware that the value for money report which has to be conducted from Stormont has to satisfy the Chancellor of the Exchequer's office. I think they need to look at that again. They will do so in the context of how flexible it can be made and in accordance with the report of the Special EU Programmes Body, which says that it is a viable entity. It is not a question of unwillingness on the part of the Government or the Department here. I do not think it is a question of unwillingness on the part of the Executive. It is a case of keeping the bridge concept and principle very much alive. My immediate concern is that the European moneys were allocated for a specific time. Neither the Deputy nor anyone else would want those moneys to be lost to the region. We will see what can happen in the short term, in terms of the analysis of the tenders and whether further progress can be made. My answer to the Deputy's question is that we are willing to support it, but we need to have clarity regarding how it is shared. I think that sentiment is shared by the North-South Ministerial Council.

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