Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have been to Derry in the context of the shared island initiative over the last two and a half years. People there are pleased with the shared island initiative. The North West Strategic Growth Partnership is particularly pleased. It involves all of the councils in the north west working together in harmony by leaving politics and party politics outside the door to advance the cause of the region. The A5 is in a public inquiry process. The most submissions on the all-island rail strategy came from the north west because connectivity is a significant issue for the north west. We said to the university, particularly the Magee Campus, that we are awaiting proposals on the shared island initiative. It has submitted proposals and we have supported projects in the north west, particularly relating to research. Over €40 million has been allocated to research proposals on the island of Ireland through the shared island initiative. We stand ready to do more.

See this speech in context