Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has met with Colette Fitzgerald, Head of the EU Commission Representation Office in Belfast, to discuss the implications of Brexit and ongoing relationships with EU institutions. It will have significant implications for projects in County Down.
Speaking after the meeting, Minister Hazzard said: “The outcome of the recent referendum and its impact on funding streams for key infrastructure projects here continues to be uncertain.
“Maintaining a relationship with the EU and its representatives remains important as decisions are made over the next number of months, and today’s meeting was an opportunity for me to learn more on the potential impacts and possibilities for significant local projects.
“Some of the projects that my Department and I would have been looking at would have presented great potential to attract additional funds from Europe.
“Belfast’s York Street Interchange and the city’s Transport Hub are two schemes that would benefit from substantial EU funding. The potential loss of this funding is a huge challenge, however, it is one that my Department and I will be working hard to overcome.”
In South Down there are projects too that would benefit from EU funding such as the Narrow Water Bridge and the development of Kilkeel harbour, but these initiatives may be affected if funding is not available.
