Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. As somebody who travels on that road every single week, I recognise the importance of the potential of that road but also the heartbreak that communities felt. Two weeks ago we were not able to go home via the A5 because of the tragic accident in which three people were left dead. When myself and my colleague, Deputy Mac Lochlainn, along with our delegation, left St. Andrews those 16 years ago after getting a commitment that the A5 would be upgraded to dual carriageway status and that 50-50 co-funding would be provided, little did we think that we would still be in this position and where next Monday I will attend a public inquiry to which I have made a submission.

I welcome the words of the Minister and the Taoiseach in respect of their continued commitment and that they will not be found wanting. However, I ask the Minister to go back to the position taken at St. Andrews. It is an international agreement in which the Irish Government agreed to co-finance this road at a 50% rate.

That financing was reduced as a result of the economic collapse in this State. I am asking because of the importance of this road for the entire north west and its importance in terms of saving lives. The department in the North recognised this road upgrade will prevent 2,877 casualties in the next 60 years, never mind the lives it will save. I am asking the Minister whether the Government is willing to go back to the position it held in the St. Andrews Agreement where there was to be co-financing of the road on an equal basis.

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