High level support in the Irish Daíl for a symbolic cross-border building project has won praise in Northern Ireland.

SDLP South Down Assembly Member PJ Bradley and his colleague SDLP activist Declan McAteer have welcomed the Irish Republic's Transport Minister Noel Dempsey's continued commitment to the Louth-Down link bridge at Narrow Water on the outskirts of Newry, Co Down.

Speaking after a meeting with the Transport Minister, PJ Bradley said: "Minister Dempsey explained to us that the proposal was now with the National Roads Authority (NRA) and that they are due to report back to him shortly.

-- Advertisement --

"The NRA will report on the suitability of the proposed drawings for the bridge and if they consider it necessary they will also make recommendations on alternative design options.

"We were in agreement with the Minister that the authorities in the North must promote the social, economic and cultural benefits of the project and our joint observation was that this necessary input had advanced considerably in recent months."

He continued: "I am pleased to state that the project has a real friend in Minister Dempsey. Declan and I were completely satisfied with the meeting and we were also pleased to note that the Minister has retained his long-term commitment to the provision of the first ever land link between the South and County Down."

(NS/BMcC)