Seán Conlan (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If one practical benefit could come from this meeting, it would be the establishment of a working group to look at cross-Border connectivity. Such a group could examine all the options for all cross-Border roads projects, including cost-benefit analyses on each of those projects. The Minister was very clear about the lack of capital funding for the short term. When we have very scarce resources, we need to have cost-benefit analyses on all options to ensure money is spent wisely to get the maximum bang for our buck. We also need to look at traffic volumes on every one of these roads and ensure short-term funding to tackle issues such as bottlenecks. We need an overarching, joined-up approach to this issue. Accordingly, the setting up of a working group would be a positive development in this regard.

When funding does become available in the longer term, we will then be able to move on these projects. As Michelle Gildernew said, there are objections to the development of this project on both sides of the Border. These objections are strong and are down, I suppose, to the fact that people are frustrated when they see the lack of development in other projects and that we want to ensure money is spent wisely.

While I welcome the funding provided for the improvement of the road between Monaghan town and Emyvale, the road in the village itself needs funding for improvement too. Only a short number of weeks ago, a truck overturned in the village. It is a dangerous stretch of road and needs immediate attention. If some short-term funding could be provided to deal with that, it would be very welcome, regardless of what the long-term implications are for this project.