Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. The N53 road from Castleblayney in County Monaghan to Dundalk in County Louth with a section that runs through Northern Ireland is a road of strategic importance with the importance of Dundalk Institute of Technology likely to increase in the not-too-distant future. The N53 is 23.5 km long, including a section that passes through Northern Ireland. The 6 km section that passes through Northern Ireland passes through Cullaville in County Armagh where it is classified as the A37 and is known locally as the Concession Road. Unfortunately, the N53 has a very poor safety record and is often described as an accident black spot. It is very narrow in places with poor verges and dangerous bends. It is in a poor state of repair in many places.

There have been some piecemeal improvements over the years but it is widely acknowledged that this road needs substantial improvement to bring it up to modern-day standards. Decades ago, families from County Monaghan would have travelled to Dundalk to shop or visit the beach in Blackrock. Now the increased usage on that road is down in no small measure to Dundalk Institute of Technology which is now pushing for status as a technological university. DkIT has over 5,000 students enrolled and provides graduate and postgraduate courses from levels 6 to 10. A range of developments have taken place with a view to obtaining technological university status for the third level education facility. The college has a catchment area which includes Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and indeed Dublin. DkIT is strategically important in providing the skills needed for local industry in the north east, including County Monaghan. Its links with local industries such as Combilift and with institutes such as the MIFET in Monaghan are of increasing importance to the development of linkages between third level facilities and future industries.

The N53 is something of a forgotten road in comparison with the A5 which has garnered much more attention over the years. However, for many people in Monaghan and Louth as well as County Armagh and the wider region, it is a very important route that could assist considerably with trade, infrastructural and educational links well into the future. I would be grateful if the Minister of State could provide me with an update on the potential funding available from various Departments. I know I will probably get the standard response on that. I would like the Minister of State to focus on the possibility of shared island funding for this road. I feel that is where the future is. It straddles the Border with Northern Ireland going through County Armagh. Strategically from the point of view of an educational facility with Dundalk IT, which should have university status very shortly, and indeed industry in the region it is vital that this road receives funding. I would like the Minister of State to explore the possibility of the shared island unit being an avenue for such funding.