The government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Narrow Water Bridge project.

Sinn Féin Leader and Louth TD, Gerry Adams, has welcomed the news and called for words to be turned into action so the project can begin.

Mr Adams said: "Sinn Féin has pursued this issue for some considerable time now. We have consistently raised it with the Irish Government and I did so again during the negotiations which led to the Stormont House Agreement.

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"The Narrow Water Bridge is a hugely important infrastructure project that can provide jobs for a region in desperate need of them and a significant boost to the local economy.

"It would also be a hugely valuable North-South link. It has the support of all of the parties in Louth, south Down and south Armagh."

He continued: "So far the project has not gone ahead because the Government failed to provide the financial investment needed to supplement funding from local councils and the European Union.

"I note that the Government also reaffirmed its commitment to provide €25 million in each of the years 2015 and 2016 as a contribution to the A5 road project.

"It also committed to examining the scope for further financial commitments to the A5 project in the context of the forthcoming capital expenditure programme."

(CD/JP)