An artist’s impression of the Narrow Water Bridge
Local TD Gerry Adams has given a cautious welcome to indications that the Taoiseach may be prepared to financially support the Narrow Water Bridge project and says he intends to raise the issue with the Taoiseach next week in the Dáil.
Newspaper reports earlier this week suggested that Enda Kenny might be willing to finance the bridge, which would link Warrenpoint and Omeath, in 2015.
However, Sinn Féin president Adams said he was cautious about whether or not this supposed commitment was simply a pre-election promise or something set in stone.
He said: “I have raised the importance of constructing the Narrow Water Bridge with the Taoiseach on many occasions in the Dáil and while he has always sounded a positive note regrettably it was his government that failed to provide the financial investment needed to supplement the funding from local councils and the European Union.
“At last November’s meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council Ministers there was unanimous support for the Narrow Water Bridge project.
“It also has the support of all the parties in county Louth, south Down and south Armagh.
“The bridge can be a massive economic driver for the region from Slieve Gullion to the Cooley’s and to the Mournes.
“The government has acknowledged that it is the border counties that record the highest rates of disadvantage across a number of indicators.
“The construction of the Narrow Water bridge is a real opportunity to tackle this disadvantage.
“The Taoiseach has said he backs the bridge project. Fine Gael now says that Mr. Kenny is ready to support the project in the next round of funding from the Special European Programme Body. I intend raising this matter with the Taoiseach next week in the Dáil.
“The people of Louth and South Down and south Armagh want firm commitments not pre-election promises that may now be delivered later.”
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