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

I thank the Minister for his reply. I believe the failure of the Government to secure a derogation from the British Minister for the A5 was highly disappointing and I believe such a derogation should have been achievable for the Government. Did the Minister emphasise that in recent years, the Irish Government has taken a partnership approach with regard to the financing of the preparations and plans for the aforementioned A5 to the tune of approximately €50 million and that there is a long-term agreement that future development of the road will be co-funded? It is exceptionally disappointing that the Minister did not and was not able to twist arms to emphasise to the British Minister the importance of providing a derogation for Irish road hauliers on that road. The principle already is established and as the Minister has indicated, 7 km of road that criss-crosses between counties Monaghan and south Armagh were exempted. Consequently, this can be done, is something the Minister should have been able to achieve and is highly disappointing.

What is the Minister's view on the feasibility of the introduction of a similar system in the Republic to that introduced by the British Government to alleviate the pressure on our heavy goods vehicle hauliers?

See this speech in context