On foot of last Thursday's UK election, it is clear that Brexit will happen in some form and that is key to the timing of Deputy Brendan Smith and me raising this matter. A commitment has also been given that in any withdrawal agreement the North of Ireland would be accorded some form of special status. More importantly, the programme for Government made a commitment that the Narrow Water bridge and the A5 motorway would be supported and encouraged.
The Narrow Water bridge will be an important economic stimulus for south Down and County Louth in the context of job creation, investment and tourism opportunities. We need to work with the new UK Government and alongside the EU to create a scheme for funding this important item of infrastructure. The Narrow Water bridge project has been 40 years growing and we all know the difficulties it experienced in the last possible round of funding. A cursory glance at the infrastructure along the Border, leaving aside the A1 and the Belfast-Dublin train line, shows that, believe it or not, we had much better connectivity in the 1950s and 1960s. All one has to do is look at the train tracks that were lifted from Dundalk, Monaghan, Enniskillen, Bundoran, Derry and Sligo.
My colleague, Deputy Brendan Smith, will deal with the A5. We are aware that in recent years almost €17.4 million was offered in respect of this project and that the contract came in at more than €12 million in excess. I want to see this project being delivered as part of a commitment to the all-Ireland economy and to the people of this island, North and South.
]]>More importantly, I came here today to support, acknowledge and thank Mr. Hynes, Ms Walshe and their staff, and Mr. Hynes mentioned the voluntary board of 12 people, who have impressed me greatly. I am delighted to be part of what they are trying to achieve. People talk about the heroes of conflict but I see them as the unsung heroes of conflict resolution.
It has been a privilege to be involved since I was elected to the Dáil. I acknowledge the work our guests do tirelessly, to use their choice of word, and behind the scenes. More importantly, as someone who - as I often say - lives the Border, I understand, like most people, where they are coming from and the importance of discretion. They are not on the radar in the way they should be to get the centre up and running and in that regard, I support them and wish them well.
Our guests spoke about the need for people to engage. There are initiatives such as Comhairle na nÓg, youth parliaments and so on. It has struck me, as a public representative of 25 years, that often we do not know our own local public representatives on the far side of a little drain or what they are doing and vice versa. There are great opportunities for Glencree with schools, youth leaders of various persuasions and local public representatives. Since I was elected to the House, I have been struck by the need for further engagement, such as is done through the Good Friday Agreement and the British-Irish Parliamentary Association, to get to know our public representatives of different faiths, hues and opinions. Perhaps we would have a better understanding of one another if we did more of that.
I hope our guests will keep up the good work because they are making strides. Without divulging any sensitive information, given that I am conscious of the discretion of the centre's work, it is important to mention one aspect of their work of which they may not even be aware. An elderly father of one of the first disappeared victims, when people did not talk about the disappeared, eventually visited the scene of where his son was murdered, shortly before he died. That, in itself, is a testament to the centre's work. It was a simple gesture, not through Glencree but through other organisations with which it has worked, that linked the father with the site. I am also aware of many similar cases.
I commend our guests on their work. That was my purpose for attending the meeting and I thank the committee for allowing me to say a few words.
I wish Mr. Malone well for the future. His new role will be a big one in the context of seeking technological university status and developing research, innovation and teaching. I have come here to endorse Mr. Malone as somebody whom I have known for a lifetime. I know his total commitment, not only to Dundalk but also to the wider
region. He referenced the region several times in what he had to say, including in respect of his contribution to the county development board and, in particular, regarding the M1 corridor. That is a crucial part of the role DkIT can play in developing our region. I wish Mr. Malone well in working with the President and the staff of DkIT. Colleges are struggling at present to decide their direction. We all accept that technological status is important. There is a major contribution to be made in the context of cross-Border co-operation. I wish Mr. Malone well also in getting that co-operation from the board and the politicians who will serve on the board, as well as businesses across the region.
]]>The Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach has completed its consideration of the Investment Limited Partnerships (Amendment Bill) 2019 and has made no amendment thereto.
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