Perhaps the Taoiseach might advise the House about the Narrow Water bridge project and where it stands now. Can we expect it will proceed or what exactly is the position?

Unfortunately, many businesses are being wound up around the country for obvious reasons. Local authorities appear to have a difficulty on rates arrears and there are constraints on local authority accounts departments to negotiate these arrears. They claim that the legislative position is that they are not allowed to reduce the rates bill where representatives of businesses in distress are prepared to negotiate the figure with them. Perhaps the Taoiseach might look at that.

The time is fast approaching for a decision in respect of the European element of funding for the Narrow Water bridge. There have been discussions between Newry and Mourne Council and Louth County Council, the Executive and the Government here. We have always supported this in principle. The Deputy is aware of the estimate for provision of the bridge, but the tender which came in was very much in excess of that estimate. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform discussed the issue recently and discussions are still ongoing.

The question about arrears on rates should be raised during the debate on the Local Government Bill 2013. In my time on a local authority, rates bills could always be dealt with by local authorities and there used to be an opportunity at that time to cut a deal, depending on the circumstances in which an individual retailer or commercial business would find themselves. I suggest the Deputy raises it as part of his contribution to the debate on the Bill when it is before the House.