Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

If one makes a commitment at a time when money is available, one cannot really decide to renege on it when a project starts. I do not think that would be helpful in any context, but particularly in the context of the peace process. This agreement was made in the context of the overall agreement leading to the restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive in 2007. We agreed to provide the package of money comprising £400 million in a roads-investment package for Northern Ireland. In light of the Deputy's question, it is to be paid in the context of achievements of agreed project milestones and clearance by the cross-Border group and the North-South Ministerial Council. Those milestones are clearly laid out and each time, as they are met, there will be an entitlement to draw down on that money.

As regards the type of road involved, similar to here, that is a matter for the Northern Ireland Roads Service, which makes the decision, having gone through due process. It is envisaged, however, that it will be a dual-carriageway.

On the procurement of the road, contractors have been appointed to three sections of the route. Section one comprises the new buildings to the south of Strabane, section two is south of Strabane to south of Omagh, while section three is south of Omagh to the Border at Aughnacloy. It is expected that the scheduled completion date for the whole lot will be July 2015. The £400 million commitment is for the Aughnacloy-Derry section of that road. What the NRA will do on either end is a matter for that authority within its own budgets.

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