Vol. 399 No. 10
84 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance the present position regarding the proposal before his Department under the Structural Fund heading for a new bridge at Narrow Water, Omeath, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter, giving details of the response of the Northern Ireland authorities and the European Commission.
The EC Commission has decided to provide funds from the unallocated reserve under the Structural Funds for INTERREG, a Community initiative to promote cross-border co-operation.
INTERREG has not been finalised yet so its precise scope and coverage are not yet known. When these matters have been determined, an Irish programme for EC aid will be prepared. While preparatory work on the programme is being undertaken, the content of the programme will depend on the finalisation of INTERREG.
The proposal for a new bridge at Narrow Water, Omeath, County Louth, will be considered in the context of the preparation of an Irish programme for funding under INTERREG. However, it would be premature to make any further statement on the matter at this stage.
