Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for putting so well the case about the physical infrastructure of the bridge and the symbolism of bridging two communities. Unfortunately, the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, are not available, so I am taking this topic on their behalf.

It is important to note there is a Government commitment jointly with the Northern Ireland Executive to progress consideration of options for the development of the Narrow Water bridge project at the North-South Ministerial Council included in New Decade, New Approach. This followed on from a similar commitment in A Fresh Start - The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan.

A progress report regarding consideration of options for a Narrow Water bridge was considered by the North-South Ministerial Council in July 2016 and the council decided then that work should continue on the development of options. Senior officials have been continuing a review of the options, which has included meetings with relevant stakeholders. In engaging with stakeholders, officials have highlighted the need to assess all potential options objectively to ensure the best possible outcome for the area and the best use of public funds. Following on from that, the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland started work on the preparation of an outline business case regarding a Narrow Water bridge scheme. The purpose of the business case is to consider the need to construct a bridge over the Newry River and appraise options to ensure any proposal put forward is likely to represent value for money. The Department's strategic research and analysis division provided input into this work.

The proposal for the Narrow Water bridge has to be considered in light of welcome developments with respect to the Newry southern relief road since 2016. That road would provide an alternative route for strategic traffic that avoids Newry city centre and links to the eastern seaboard key transport corridor, the A1-N1 from Belfast to Dublin. The Department for Infrastructure has conducted a community consultation on the Newry southern relief road regarding the preferred route.The current proposal for the Newry southern relief road is likely to include pedestrian and cycling provision, as well as connectivity, to the B79-R173 Fathom Lane leading to Omeath, Carlingford. I understand that the intention is to have a complete stage 3 scheme assessment of the Newry southern relief road published in quarter 3 of this year by the Department for Infrastructure. As part of the project optioneering, four options are being considered for the Narrow Water bridge, that is, do nothing, a pedestrian cycle bridge only, a bridge that also caters for cars, and a bridge that also caters for buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles. The overall assessment of the case for the Narrow Water bridge, including in the context of the development of a wider tourism initiative for the region, is not at a stage where it is a clearly defined and a costed scheme. Further consideration of any impact on the R173 of any vehicular bridge would also need to be considered.

On 5 May 2021, the North-South Ministerial Council noted the commitments in New Decade, New Approach in regard to the Narrow Water bridge and agreed that Departments will consider next steps to progress the scheme. I understand that at that meeting the Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, committed to meeting with the Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon, and stakeholders in the area once Covid restrictions permitting such a visit are lifted. The options for the Narrow Water bridge remain under consideration.