Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 May 2013
16. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals, if any, he has to have further discussions with Members of the Northern Ireland Executive or with the Northern Ireland Secretary of State in relation to the need to finalise the funding provision for construction of the Narrow Water Bridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23200/13]
View answer44. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland or Members of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the need to progress to construction stage the Narrow Water Bridge project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23199/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 44 together.
The Government strongly supports the INTEREG IVA Narrow Water Bridge project. The bridge would open up the cross-border Cooley, Mournes, and Gullion region to many more visitors, making it much easier for residents, businesses and tourists to travel and to interconnect.
As well as the long-term tourism and infrastructural benefits that the bridge would undoubtedly bring to the area, there would also be a very valuable economic spin-off during the construction phase of the project, with a boost to employment.
I am conscious that concerns have been expressed about the delay in giving the project final approval. I and my colleagues in government have relayed these concerns to our colleagues in the Northern Ireland executive. I discussed the issue with First Minister Peter Robinson, on the occasion of the NSMC Institutional meeting in Belfast on 29 April last.
I was pleased to note that at a meeting of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) on 10 May last, which was chaired by the Northern Ireland Minister for Finance and Personnel, Sammy Wilson MP MLA, Ministers noted that it was important that the small number of projects still outstanding must be approved in a timely manner by the accountable Departments, so as to ensure that they can be implemented within the relevant EU deadline.
The project is currently going through the Northern Ireland Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP) Accountable Department approval process. DFP has indicated that it is fully aware of the high level of interest in the project, that it is conscious of the urgent timelines involved, and that it is working to complete all necessary processes as quickly as possible.
The Government is keeping this matter under very close consideration.
