SDLP Environment Minister Alex Attwood today responded to Sammy Wilson after the Finance Minister's comments in the Assembly yesterday about the Narrow Water bridge project in South Down.

During a debate on an SDLP motion, carried by the Assembly directing the Executive and Finance Minister to get behind the bridge project, Mr Wilson had alleged that it was questionable how the bridge project had obtained planning permission.

Mr Attwood said: "The planning decision on Narrow Water was based on proper process, the response of consultees and good advice. To portray it otherwise is wrong, cynical and indicates the lengths a few go to derail a good decision.

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"Moreover, the bridge has wide-spread cross community and cross-border support and the Assembly - as urged by the SDLP- has directed the Executive to get behind the project. That advice should be heeded.

"Sammy Wilson had no rational argument to make against the bridge. So he tried to smear those who support it. He knows - because I gave him the information only last Friday - that there is nothing whatsoever inappropriate about the planning permission the project has obtained from my department (and from the authorities South of the border). Despite this information, Mr Wilson chose, in an aggravated manner, to misinform the Assembly on the planning decision.

"There was also a yawning contradiction in his comment. Mr Wilson supported the Programme for Government commitment that new article 31 applications should be decided in six months. That is precisely what I did on Narrow Water and will do so on other new article 31s before Christmas. Mr Wilson criticises one article 31 decision made in six months, having previously endorsed this very same approach. This shows up Mr Wilson’s comments. He knows the planning process is sound – but creates mischief and worse to undermine a good decision with a good result for Down, Louth and the Island."

(CD)