I wish to revert to an article in yesterday's edition of The Irish Times with the headline "€18 million bridge on Border hit by politics". It was a well researched article but its thesis is not correct. I would like the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to confirm this because I have been involved in the project for a long time, as has Senator Terry Brennan.

Last week I visited Stormont, met people from all parties and brought the Warrenpoint Chamber of Commerce to Dublin where they met the Taoiseach. The reality is there is great support, North and South, for this bridge. The Minister for Regional Development, Mr. Danny Kennedy, MLA, advertised the order for the bridge last week. Although it is true that the Minister for Finance, Mr. Sammy Wilson, MLA, has yet to issue the letter of offer, namely, the money from the Northern side, he could not be expected to do that before the bridge order is signed. It is unhelpful, therefore, for certain politicians to be playing politics with this. This bridge was considered by all parties. Members of all parties had their views, both for and against, not only those on the Unionist side. It is important to remember that. It is unhelpful to blame politicians when they have to consider whether to let the project continue. It is better to work behind the scenes. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, has been top-class on this matter. Everybody, including Ms Catriona Ruane, MLA, of Sinn Féin, acknowledges this, which is praise indeed. The good news is-----

The Senator is over time.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence. Yesterday I spoke to the former Minister for Justice and Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern.

Do not believe him.

The Senator is way over time.

He is a neighbour. He said that when he had brought this matter up with Dr. Ian Paisley at the Farmleigh meeting Dr. Paisley said, with tears in his eyes, that he supported this bridge.

I fail to see where the Senator is heading.

I want to hear about the tears in Dr. Paisley's eyes.

I am starting to get emotional.

It is very important and that is the reason I ask this of the Leader. It is also very important that the Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar, confirms to this House and the nation that the timeframe for this bridge is on schedule and that it will come about.