Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is a matter on which I have been in ongoing correspondence with the Northern Ireland Minister for Regional Development, Danny Kennedy. This is also a matter for the Minister because the Government is in this in partnership with the Northern Administration. The only way this dual carriageway will be built is if the Minister works hand in hand with the Northern Administration to deliver it. Unfortunately, a hands-off approach has been taken, however. I accept the planning issue is an internal matter for the Northern Administration but there should be a closer working relationship between the Minister and it to ensure the project proceeds as promptly as possible, particularly regarding funding. Up to £280 million was allocated specifically to the project from the British Exchequer under the St. Andrews Agreement. Last year, over £100 million of that was released back into the Northern Ireland funding pot because the road had not progressed. This year, the same will happen.

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