Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Border Region Development Brendan Smith TD has called on the Government to address its failure to support the Narrow Water Bridge project and ensure that it is back on the agenda with firm financial commitments.

Deputy Smith commented, “Fianna Fáil have been consistent in our support for the Narrow Water Bridge project and to this day we do not understand why the Irish Government refused to maintain its support when the project ran into trouble last July.

“Now, with additional capital resources available and the need to invest in North South interaction greater than ever, I firmly believe that this project should be back on the agenda.

“With the Brexit referendum looming, this project can be a beacon of the positive elements of European support and cross border co-operation. The short and long term benefits for the Cooley Peninsula and Newry, Mourne & Down would be significant, while the symbolic value of this project being resurrected and completed, despite the many political and economic challenges it has faced, would be very powerful.

“Reports have emerged that the project has been on and off the agenda of the current talks process. While any focus on getting it back on track is to be welcomed, a project of this significance must not become just another bargaining chip. Its completion would be good for the North East region and good for the country. It stands on its own merits and should be supported on that basis.”

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