An artist’s impression of the Narrow Water Bridge
Local TD Gerry Adams yesterday raised the future of the Narrow Water Bridge with An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
They were speaking during Taoiseach’s Questions which focussed on the north but which also covered the Narrow Water Bridge because Sinn Féin had raised the matter during the Stormont House talks.
In response to the Sinn Féin leader, Enda Kenny said that: “The Government also remains committed to the Narrow Water bridge project.”
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Adams said: “I very much welcome the Taoiseach’s stated commitment to the Narrow Water bridge, which was restated today. Will he give some detail on the next phase of this very important and necessary piece of infrastructure? It is crucial. It has been spoken about, planned and lobbied for over the past 40 years.
“The region is less than an hour from Belfast and Dublin airports. One can go from the Boyne Valley and Neolithic history right up the east coast from Cromwellian times with the walled city of Drogheda, to the Vikings in Annagassan, nodding at Queen Medb and Cúchulainn, looking across the Cooleys and up into Slieve Gullion and the Mournes. This is an area of very important scenic and tourist potential.”
In his response the Taoiseach said: “Deputy Adams asked a question about the Narrow Water bridge… The Narrow Water project has obviously featured for a long time. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, met representatives of Louth County Council recently. The project, as outlined to him, would cost €50 million. He asked Louth County Council to develop a viable proposition that would meet the suitability criteria for such a project. This would require work on both sides, as the Deputy knows. Assistance would have to be received from both jurisdictions.
“It is the promoters of the project that must take the initiative here. The Minister has, therefore, asked Louth County Council to examine how one could develop a proposal that would meet the criteria and yet deal with the objective, which is to have a physical link either side of the lough. Obviously, we are supportive of that. I am quite sure the Executive and the community will be also.”
Speaking afterward Deputy Adams said: “It isn’t enough for the government to pass the buck on this project. It has to step up to the plate financially in support of the Bridge and it must also provide advice and support for the efforts to secure additional funding from the EU.”
