Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I endorse the welcome by the First Minister and Deputy First Minister in Northern Ireland for the appointment of Mr. Richard Haass as an envoy to deal with outstanding issues in the peace process, including parades, flags and so forth. His appointment is in the tradition of George Mitchell's magnificent contributions to the peace process. Will the Leader invite Mr. Haass to the Seanad in view of his decision to invite the Orange Order to the House. The Seanad has a role to play in this regard. For the information of those on the opposite side, one of Mr. Haass's books is entitled, The Power to Persuade: How to be Effective in Any Unruly Organization, which was published in 1995. He is also the author of The Reluctant Sheriff: The United States after the Cold War.

I also express regret about a cross-Border issue that has arisen, namely, the impasse concerning the proposed Narrow Water bridge, which Senator Terry Brennan has so strongly promoted. The project progressed on the basis that it would cost €17 million but when the tenders were opened this figure had increased to between €26 million and €40 million. This very worthwhile project, which is supported by Danny Kennedy, MLA, Margaret Ritchie, MLA, the Northern Ireland Executive and Senator Brennan and his colleagues from County Louth, gives rise to wider questions. The construction industry tells us there are bargains available as a result of the recession. How did the cost of this project virtually double? We must examine alternatives, such as the construction of a tolled bridge by a private sector company which would assume the risk. The Comptroller and Auditor General has warned about construction projects which vastly overrun at no risk to those who construct them. On the contrary, such cost overruns are of significant benefit to the companies involved.

I gather the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, is having a meeting later which will discuss the proposed Narrow Water bridge. I ask the Leader to invite him to the House for a discussion following his meeting. This development could have serious portents, not only in terms of the loss of a good cross-Border project but for all attempts to stimulate the economy through a construction industry that doubles the price of a contract between the time of a contract going out to tender and the opening of the tenders.