Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)

As the Minister is aware, the A5 upgrade is a vital infrastructural project which will link Dublin with Derry. Once completed, the main cities of the country will be linked up. It is disappointing to note funding will be provided in 2015. My Northern colleagues, including Pat Doherty, MP, have fought tooth and nail to secure funding for the project in the North. Why is it necessary to wait until 2015 before making funding available? County Donegal and the north-west region in general have been isolated for far too long and do not have the infrastructure they need. Counties Derry, Donegal, Monaghan and Tyrone are the worst road traffic accident blackspots in the country. The number of lives that would be saved if the A5 road infrastructure were in place is another factor that should be taken into account. I am disappointed by the Minister's decision as this commitment is a part of an agreement between two sovereign governments, namely, the St. Andrews Agreement. I ask him to review the funding schedule and allocate more money towards the A5 road project. The timeframe envisaged by the Minister is too long, especially in light of the commitment made by our Northern counterparts.

See this speech in context