The SDLP has said the Narrow Water Bridge Project can become an icon for economic growth, in terms of tourism, infrastructure and strengthening relations north and south.

South Down MLAs Karen McKevitt and Seán Rogers were speaking after the Assembly passed the SDLP motion calling for the Executive to make explicit its commitment to ensure that the remaining financial package for the bridge is put in place immediately.

Ms McKevitt said: "The SDLP has always been a passionate supporter of the Narrow Water Bridge Project and have since its inception.

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"This is a genuinely symbolic cross-border project providing the first bridge linking Ireland North and South. It makes the very best of good sense at every social and economic level and on every conceivable measure of community benefit. And with the imaginative leadership and good management that we asked the Assembly to mandate, that benefit can ripple outwards to reach large parts of Northern Ireland.

"We asked this house to back not just a bridge but a vision.

"Of course, bridges alone don't bring all that many people to an area – but that is where vision must come in. This is the moment to envisage a Greater Carlingford Lough concept, to realise that the Mournes, Ring of Gullion and Cooley form a natural, coherent destination area of their own, like the Ring of Kerry or the Causeway Coast or the Lakelands. And right at the heart of that new destination area we are to have something new, a connecting point, a symbol, a pivot on which the whole area can turn. Our elegant new bridge at Narrow Water can become an icon and essential marketing image for this new destination."

(CD/GK)