Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to revert to an article in yesterday's edition of The Irish Times with the headline "€18 million bridge on Border hit by politics". It was a well-researched article but its thesis is not correct. I would like the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to confirm that because I have been involved in the project for a long time, as has Senator Brennan.

Last week I visited Stormont, met people from all parties and brought the Warrenpoint Chamber of Commerce to Dublin where they met the Taoiseach. The reality is there is great support, North and South, for this bridge. The Minister for Regional Development, Mr. Danny Kennedy, MLA, advertised the order for the bridge last week. Although it is true that the Minister for Finance, Mr. Sammy Wilson, MLA, has yet to issue the letter of offer, namely, the money from the Northern side, he could not be expected to do that before the bridge order is signed. It is unhelpful, therefore, for certain politicians to be playing politics with this. This bridge was considered by all parties. Members of all parties had their views, both for and against, not only those on the Unionist side. It is important to remember that. It is unhelpful to blame politicians when they have to consider whether to let the project continue. It is better to work behind the scenes.

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, has been top-class on this matter. Everybody, including Ms Catriona Ruane, MLA, of Sinn Féin, acknowledges that, which is praise indeed. The good news is-----