Mr. Gary Doherty:

The A5 western transport corridor and the N2 connection into it is a vital flagship project for our region. We have identified in the FRP that the A5 will address the regional imbalance at the core of the work ICBAN does. It will also connect communities to improve job prospects and address road safety, which was a significant priority for the delivery of that scheme. As members will be aware, there have been more than 40 deaths in the past 15 years alone on that stretch of road, so one can see the absolute necessity of the project for the safety of road users, not to mention the development of ICBAN on the north-west regions as a whole.

The five councils most impacted by the A5-N2 project, namely, those of Donegal, Fermanagh and Omagh, mid-Ulster, Derry city and Strabane, and Monaghan, have established a cross-Border committee to lobby for the delivery of the project, while a number of members of the ICBAN board are members of that committee, including Councillor Maxwell and me. We are very frustrated with the delays in this project, which has been subject to three legal challenges since 2007.

Following a meeting between that cross-Border committee and the Minister, Nichola Mallon, in April, we were assured she hoped the project could progress at pace. There are considerations to be given to the objections submitted in the past, but we were assured the public inquiry would be scheduled for next year and, one hopes, that the project would still be achievable within the original timeframe of 2023-28. As Ms Begley noted, we recently met the shared island unit and emphasised, as we always do, the importance of the A5-N2 project. As a group, we are happy with the engagement with the shared island unit thus far since the publication of the FRP, and it has shown it is willing to work with us on the catalyst programme we have identified and by giving its renewed support to the A5.

The ICBAN sub-committee on the implementation of the FRP will meet regularly with the shared island unit. From our perspective, it is important that the A5 and N2 are always on the agenda and that we secure this critical project for the development of our region, since the value of the A5 and N2 simply cannot be overstated.

I know that a review of rail on an all-Ireland basis was recently announced. I received correspondence from the Department for Infrastructure in Stormont and from the Department of Transport following a motion that I tabled at Donegal County Council. While the A5 is crucial for development of the region, rail connectivity has significant potential for our region. I believe that it would tick all the boxes for the work that ICBAN is doing and that we have identified in the FRP, and also the work that the shared island unit is doing. It would be investment in climate, the Border region and the all-island economy. I know that rail is probably a longer-term vision for the area. We are aware of the scope of work and investment that would be required but the value of rail connectivity for our region would far outweigh any potential blocks on progressing that idea.