Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 1 go 4, go huile, le chéile.

Yesterday, Tuesday, 20 February, the Government confirmed a range of funding allocations which affirm our commitment to working with the new Executive and the UK Government to implement cross-Border investment co-operation that will make the island of Ireland a better place to live for all communities. This is the largest ever package of Government funding for cross-Border investments, and is in addition to the near €250 million already allocated from the shared island fund for more than 15 major projects and programmes. These decisions take forward the Government’s priorities for the initiative in 2024, which I set out in a speech to the third shared island forum earlier this month. Our funding commitments also reflect years of co-operation and partnership by successive British and Irish Governments, and with the Northern Ireland Executive and Departments.

First, the Government has decided to make a commitment of €600 million to the A5 road upgrade to Derry and Donegal. The statutory activities are at an advanced stage in Northern Ireland, and I am told it is feasible that construction on the A5, or at least one section of it, could commence later this year. That is why we are confirming the Government’s contribution now. The Government will also advance planning and design work for the related N2 Clontibret to the Border project and the TEN-T Donegal schemes, which will tie in with the A5. This will bring connectivity in the north west and in Ulster more generally on a par with other parts of the island, North and South.

The Government is also making substantial allocations under the shared island fund. This includes a €50 million contribution to the redevelopment of Casement Park stadium in Belfast. This will help to realise a long-planned sports infrastructure project in the city and maximise the benefit for Northern Ireland from the joint hosting by Ireland and the UK of UEFA Euro 2028. This is a North-South project but it is also an important east-west project, and something we are doing together.

In addition, the Government has decided to move ahead with its long-standing commitment to the Narrow Water bridge between the Cooley Peninsula in County Louth and south County Down. We believe the contract for this could be signed as soon as next month.

New co-operation schemes are being developed in the areas of education and enterprise, including female entrepreneurship. The introduction of an hourly peak-time rail service from Dublin to Belfast will almost double existing service capacity and can be done as soon as next year. It will multiply the potential for new business, education and people-to-people connections along the Dublin-Belfast corridor.

The Government has also decided to progress a major investment in a renewed visitor experience at the Battle of the Boyne site to enhance conservation and the heritage and tourism profile of a place of unique historical significance. This includes an allocation in principle of €10 million from the shared island fund.

We are also moving ahead with work to assist a bid for UNESCO world heritage status for the transboundary astronomical observatories of Ireland partnership. Up to €250,000 will be spent on the related feasibility work on how the heritage, tourism and scientific education value of the three sites - at Dunsink, Birr and Armagh - can be harnessed in the years ahead.

The commitments we have made are about realising the potential of all-island investment co-operation, boosting the all-island economy and improving North-South connections. This is about understanding that regardless of whatever the constitutional future of Northern Ireland or Ireland as a whole may be, investing in people, in quality of life and opportunity and in the generations to come is all our responsibility. It is a common good that we can progress by working together. That is the focus of the Government's shared island initiative and we have taken very substantial steps forward.

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