Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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10. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the A5 and on his recent engagement with his Northern Ireland counterparts in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46302/14]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Minister for an update on meetings or engagements over recent months with his northern counterparts about the development of the A5 dual carriageway from Derry to Aughnacloy.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, there is ongoing liaison on the A5 project under the umbrella of the North-South Ministerial Council transport body. I discussed the project with my northern colleagues at the transport sectoral meeting that took place on 5 November.That is the last point at which we raised the issue. Following the judicial review decision last year quashing consent for the construction of two sections of the A5, the Department for Regional Development has been undertaking work related to appropriate assessments under the habitats directive of the impact of the A5 proposals on designated environmentally sensitive sites,reviewing and updating the environmental statement for the scheme together with the statutory orders for the scheme.

At the November transport sectoral meeting, the council noted the public consultation on the final report informing the appropriate assessment process and that the new environmental statement, when published, will be subject to public consultation and may lead to a further inquiry. In the communiqué from the meeting, Ministers noted that both Governments remain committed to the A5 scheme.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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I do not need to emphasise the importance of the project for the development of the north-west region and Donegal in particular. Access routes into the county are one lane in both directions. These are exceptionally slow and there is no train line. The development of roads was impeded for years by the political instability in Northern Ireland and the lack of a partnership approach to building the necessary artery to Northern Ireland and linking up with networks in this country. Can the Minister provide clarity on the planning timeline involved and update me on funding? The Minister has told me what is happening in the process but perhaps he can tell me about the timeline for planning. When it was stopped in April 2013, we were told it would take a year. That is a year and a half ago and the Minister is now saying we could be into public inquiries and further consultations.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Thank you, I will let the Deputy back in.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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The funding was ring-fenced by the Northern Ireland Government. What is the status of that? What is the level of engagement with the Minister in ensuring the money will come back to the project?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy raised two questions on planning and funding. The planning process has taken place in Northern Ireland and I play no part in it. It is an impartial planning process, as ours is. Four reports were required to follow up on the issues that led to the current state of the project. With regard to the fourth report, which is outstanding, public consultation began on 15 October and finished on 28 November.

Now these four reports are completed, the planning authorities need to make a decision on how they will move the project forward.

The funding commitments of the Northern Ireland Executive are a matter for it. I understand this is an issue to which the Northern Ireland Minister for Regional Development, Danny Kennedy, responded recently. This Government’s commitment for funding for 2015 and 2016 is still clear.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will the Deputy conclude? We are running out of time.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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What will the Minister do to ensure the project can be delivered? What engagement has the Minister had with the Northern Administration to ensure the remaining funding will be spent on the road?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is questioning me on decisions taken by the Northern Ireland Executive. Those are matters for it. I am subject to scrutiny by the Opposition and the Oireachtas on decisions I make. Nearly every one of the questions raised by the Deputy is on decisions made by the Northern Ireland Executive and responses it has given to where the planning process lies.

How have I taken a hands-off approach? Is the Deputy suggesting I intervene in the planning process, a process in which politicians should not be involved? Is he suggesting I get involved in a process in Northern Ireland in which the Northern Ireland Executive and politicians are closely involved? All of the matters raised by the Deputy are being dealt with by the Northern Ireland Executive.

I engaged with the Northern Ireland Executive on this matter in the first week in November. I have also met with the Good Friday committee on it. The funding commitment from this Government for 2015 and 2016 continues to be clear.