Welcoming the announcement of the Narrow Water Bridge project is going to proceed local Fianna Fáil Deputy Séamus Kirk said it was the culmination of a campaign started the best part of 30 years ago.

Deputy Kirk commented: "Many people were sceptical about the prospects for the project when meeting were organised by people like Dr. O’Tierney from Warrenpoint. In retrospect those meetings sowed the seeds of a concept now coming to fruition. Apart from the powerful symbolism of the bridge building where there will be clear and tangible of economic benefits to South Down and North Louth. We thank all the parties involved, the Department of Transport, Louth County Council, SEUBP, and now latterly Minister Sammy Wilson.

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"It is important that the State Agencies with promotional responsibility, both North & South, come together to maximise the benefits this infrastructural development.

"As a Public Representative of long standing in Louth it would be remiss of me not to recognise the role of retired Oireachtas Members, Dermot Ahern, Brendan McGahon and the late Pádraig Faulkner, for being such strong advocates of this development together with Eddie McGrady, P.J. Bradley and Margaret Ritchie on the northern side. We all worked in harmony to reach this red letter day.

"Hopefully the building of the bridge will herald a new economic era both North and South. I know it demonstrates what can be achieved when there is a convergence of effort not to mention financial support."

(CD/IT)