Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise an issue that I spoke about enthusiastically on 16 October last year, which is almost six months ago. At that time I welcomed the decision the day before by the Northern Ireland Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, MLA, when he granted planning permission for the Narrow Water Bridge project across the mouth of Carlingford Lough. The decision was welcomed by all political parties at the time. It is a significant project costing in the region of ¤20 million and not many projects of that magnitude have taken place across Europe.

I acknowledge what has been done in the meantime and the fact that a significant amount of money has been spent by Louth County Council and Newry and Mourne District Council. I also congratulate the co-operation to date between both governments, North and South, but the bridge order has yet to be signed. There has been a delay and I am deeply concerned that the bridge order should be signed soon. This is a 20-month project which must be completed by 2015 and it is due to start.

The Leader should arrange a meeting between the Minister for Transport, Deputy Varadkar, and the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, and their ministerial counterparts in Northern Ireland. This bridge will be a tremendous boost to the north-east region, both North and South. I would be grateful if such a meeting could be arranged by the Leader at an early date.