Narrow Water Bridge project moving forward – D’Arcy & Fitzpatrick

Fine Gael Senator for Louth, Jim D’Arcy and Louth TD Peter Fitzpatrick, this week visited Warrenpoint and Newry as members of the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement to discuss the provision of the Narrow Water Bridge. This is a project that Senator D’Arcy and Deputy Fitzpatrick have been working on for some time, and which had experienced a major setback earlier this year.

Speaking after the visit Senator Jim D’Arcy said

“This trip was about moving forward with the project and meeting the relevant people to see how we can make the bridge happen. Everyone involved knows that this would be a fantastic development. The Cooley Peninsula and the Mourne Mountains are wonderful amenities that should be utilised and promoted.

“We met with Louth County Council, Newry and Mourne District Council, Down Local Authorities and East Border Region. We also discussed the proposals with Chambers of Commerce representatives   from Warrenpoint, Kilkeel, Dundalk and Newry, and during the day we held meetings with INTERREG projects and Greenore Greencastle Community Association. All representatives are happy with the goals of the projects and after very constructive discussions, there was a general consensus that there are two main options for the bridge.

“The first option is to go ahead with the bridge according to the plans that have already been drawn up and to seek funding for this project. Alternatively it has been suggested that the Narrow Water Bridge could link in with the Southern Relief road around Newry which would connect Warrenpoint Port with the motorway. I have had meeting with the Department of Regional Development in Northern Ireland and I have raised the options with my Government colleagues including the Minister for Transport and Tourism, Paschal Donohoe.

“The Good Friday Committee will be looking for the North South Ministerial Council to commit to the provisions of the Narrow Water Bridge at its next meeting. The Committee will be writing to First Minister Peter Robinson and the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny asking for this commitment to be made.”

Commenting on the meeting and on the Narrow Water Bridge project Peter Fitzpatrick TD said:

“Myself and Senator D’Arcy will be working hand in glove together on this. This project is good for Louth and we are committed to doing all that we can to make it a reality.

“This week’s visit was a great success, we had straight-forward, positive, business-like conversations with people in the area who would be directly affected.”

Senator D’Arcy and Deputy Fitzpatrick have emphasised that the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD has already invested a lot of time in the Narrow Water Bridge project. Both Louth representatives are committed to working together to see the provision of bridge which would secure Louth’s position as a major tourist attraction.”