Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the committee, I welcome the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe. We are meeting to discuss cross-Border developments in transport infrastructure. This topic has been identified by the committee as a priority for examination this year. The Minister had an informal meeting with the committee members on 12 November 2014 to discuss the A5 road project, in particular the allocation of funding for the development of a section of the N2 between Aughnacloy and Clontibret. The Minister agreed at that meeting that he would appear before the committee early this year to outline cross-Border transport infrastructure developments with specific reference to the A5 road project. The committee held an informal meeting with representatives of Monaghan and Donegal county councils yesterday to discuss that project and the development of the section of the N2 between Aughnacloy and Clontibret in particular. The Monaghan County Council delegates were Mr. Eugene Cummins, chief executive, Councillor Jackie Crowe, an leas-chathaoirleach, and Mr. John McKiernan, acting senior engineer responsible for roads. The delegate from Donegal County Council was Mr. John McLaughlin, director of services.

The committee also wishes to raise issues regarding the Narrow Water Bridge project. The committee engaged in an outreach visit on 13 November last to that project, following which it wrote to the Minister and other relevant stakeholders urging them to keep it on their collective agenda.

I invite the Minister, who is very welcome, to make his opening statement. Following that, I will invite members to ask questions.