Mr. Fred Barry:

I mentioned the smaller schemes, one of which is the N16. The second phase of development will be the next piece of work on the N16. Our side of the N16 certainly needs improvement but the likelihood is that the improvement will come by means of a series of connected but smaller schemes rather than one very large scheme doing very large lengths of the route. I do not see the money being available to do 20 km or 30 km lengths at once. However, we will continue to work and I am sure that over time, everyone will see progress.

On the questions about connections to the A5, connections at Strabane are well advanced and we are ready to begin the work just as soon as the A5 proceeds with it. With regard to the northern end of the N2 I understand there is a concern that we should ensure that we advance our planning at the least on our side of the Border to ensure that lack of planning on our part does not in any way hinder developments on the far side of the Border. I will undertake to ensure that this happens. I understand that the current position is that we are sufficiently advanced and in tune with what is being done on the far side to allow the scheme on the northern side to progress, but we will check into that and if anything needs doing on our side to allow it to happen, it will be done.