Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Louth County Council has received €2.2 million from the European Regional Development Fund and the council has matched the funding through development levies, so it has €4.4 million to spend in Dundalk. That money has to be spent very soon. The council intends to spend the money on Clanbrassil Street and Church Street, leaving out Bridge Street and an adjoining street. It was hoping the €4.4 million would do the job. Louth County Council has agreed to expand the design to include Bridge Street plus the adjoining street. That will mean we will know how much it will cost and what is needed. However, Louth County Council has no money but it has made a commitment that it will match the funding. In terms of Brexit, we do not know whether we will have a soft, hard or no border. Dundalk needs this development, which will take between 12 to 18 months to complete. It will be a shame if only half the job is completed. I am delighted that the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, is in the Chamber. I ask him to contact Louth County Council and perhaps the shopkeepers in the area. This would be a fantastic development and it would also help in terms of the Brexit issue.

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