Mr. Michael Nolan:

There were some questions on the N52 Ardee bypass and I will deal with those first. The N52 Ardee bypass and Ardee link road project has been on the books for some time at this stage. It is a short scheme, approximately 3.5 km long. It is the only scheme on our books at the moment that is shovel-ready but not included in the capital investment plan published last year. The cost of construction of the scheme is of the order of €15 million. It is a fairly straightforward scheme. As mentioned previously, the land has been purchased and the associated costs have already been dealt with. Without revealing our hand I can say that Transport Infrastructure Ireland will make a submission to the Department as part of the mid-term review. It is one of the schemes we will be pushing forward to be added to the list.

Deputy Munster asked about the discussions on the N2 at the Border crossing and how it integrates with the A5 road. Phase 3 of the A5 scheme is really from Omagh down to south of Ballygawley. In the case of the road from Ballygawley to Aughnacloy and from the Border crossing to Monaghan there is no active engagement with Transport Northern Ireland on the cross-Border scheme.

It is a part of the A5 western transport corridor. It terminates just south of Ballygawley. There is actually no interaction at the Border crossing at the moment.