Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Perry. The A5 and the Narrow Water Bridge projects are significant cross-Border infrastructural projects and are worthy of support on a number of fronts.

Last week, at the meeting of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement representatives from both sides of the Border in the north west, comprising the A5 working group, appeared before the committee and called for a further push to deliver the A5 upgrade. The project includes 86 km of dual carriageway from Aughnacloy in County Tyrone to Newbuildings outside Derry city. As the committee chairman, Deputy Joe McHugh, stated, there is no doubt that the long-standing dearth of modern transport infrastructure in the north west is seriously hindering development and the relatively high unemployment and poverty rates can be directly attributable to this lack of connectivity. Tight timelines are required to avoid any further slippages on the delivery of this critical piece of infrastructure.

With regard to the Narrow Water Bridge, unfortunately we ran out of time on the last occasion despite the great efforts of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar. We must renew our efforts to provide this unique piece of infrastructure, which will do so much for tourism in the south Down and north Louth area, including in villages and towns such as Carlingford and Omeath, Warrenpoint, Kilkeel and Newcastle. It has the support of people of all political opinions on both sides of the Border. The last meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council stated that the council supports the concept of the Narrow Water Bridge. I request that this be changed to "is committed to the Narrow Water Bridge" and that the council will agree to support a new funding application under INTERREG V. Furthermore, the criteria for applications for INTERREG V funding will be drawn up between September and December. Ireland, Scotland and the Northern Executive must ensure that the criteria are fit for the Narrow Water Bridge.