Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Councillor John Campbell on becoming mayor of the fantastic county of Donegal. I convey my best wishes to Councillor Ian McGarvey who is approaching 85 years of age and was a fine chairman of Donegal County Council. He is an example of how older people can succeed and defy the endemic ageism of political life.

I support totally what Councillor Dan Kelly said. I have raised the issue of the A5 road more often than any other issue before this joint committee because I truly believe we must, as mentioned, champion the Dublin to Derry to Donegal route. The map shows how negligent the Government has been on this. Deputy McHugh is an excellent Chairman of this committee and my comment is not a personal criticism of him but the Government must engage. It is only common sense to say a potential road needs a timeline because the same is true of every capital project. The construction of motorways in the south was subject to timelines that involved planning and so on. I want a timeline for this project because I am sick talking about it.

I am extremely frustrated by what has happened in terms of the route to the north west and the impact all of this has had on economic and social development there. There appears to be something psychologically amiss among the members of both Governments and that is why there has been a lack of progress in respect of this road. I could discuss this matter for a week. I have no doubt there is a major gap in the north west - in the area between Derry and Letterkenny - in the context of economic development. It used to take all day to get to Cork but one can now make the journey in two hours. We are able to zip around the country on all these fabulous roads that have been built but there is a glaring gap in this regard in the north west. That is pathetic.

It is sad that Monaghan has been vainly seeking the princely sum of €1.5 million to narrow the chosen route between Clontibret and Aughnacloy, from 400 m to 100 m, as one of the key preliminary steps in preparing for the upgrade. If the money is eventually provided and if it is necessary to make such a narrowing, it is a bloody farce. I am extremely frustrated. Why the hell is it not possible to provide €1.5 million to define the road clearly in order that no more time will be wasted? Is there a lack of drive among those in the public and political sectors in respect of this matter? What the hell is causing the problems to which I refer. We have discussed this matter on so many occasions but no progress has been made. If the political will is there, major changes can be effected in society. I am of the view that the committee, under the stewardship of the Chairman, should champion some of these causes to the Taoiseach and others in government. The Chairman should be a Minister or a Minister of State and fight for what we are seeking. He should put the screws on the Taoiseach.