Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

Alternatively, they can journey by road where road improvements on the N2 have reduced travel times significantly.

In the context of the St. Andrews Agreement leading to the restoration of the Northern Executive in 2007, the Irish Government made a commitment to provide funding of sterling £400 million. This will contribute to a roads investment programme for Northern Ireland which includes the upgrading of the A5 road from Aughnacloy to Derry-Letterkenny to dual carriageway standard. Progress to date on development of the A5 project has been good with all scheme milestones met on schedule. The third key project milestone, publication of draft orders, was achieved in November 2010.

As the Senator mentioned, the Belfast-Derry train upgrade is a matter for the Northern Ireland authorities. Overall, the Minister for Transport believes that the combination of an improved surface transport network together with a more consolidated air service network to regional airports, along with the State airports at Cork, Shannon and Dublin, provides the necessary transport arrangements to underpin sustainable development. The Irish Government has made a significant investment in Derry Airport, as the Senator acknowledged, over recent years through the PSO route and in funding development works at the airport. It is hoped that this funding will assist in securing a commercially strong airport which benefits the North and north west of the country.