Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Transport if, in view of the fact that Transport 21 precedes the signing of the Belfast Agreement, he will reconsider current policy, in view of potential joint co-operation projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4719/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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There has been excellent cooperation for a long number of years between officials and transport agencies in my Department and in Northern Ireland regarding the development and operation of transport services and projects. The Belfast Agreement serves to strengthen this cooperation. Transport 21, which contains proposals for the improvement of our strategic road links with Northern Ireland, continues to be implemented as outlined.

The North South Ministerial Council for the Transport Sector, since its inception, has examined opportunities to further strengthen transport links. As a result of these deliberations, funding of €580 million, additional to Transport 21, has been committed by the Government, under the National Development Plan, for upgrading the A5, Border to Derry/Letterkenny and A8, Belfast to Larne roads. The NRA and Roads Service of Northern Ireland are jointly working on the implementation of these projects.

The NSMC is also examining possibilities for the future development of the Dublin-Belfast rail line and has requested officials to assess the options and prepare a report for consideration at the next NSMC meeting in Transport Sectoral format in May of this year. The Ministerial Council will continue to examine and prioritise the possible road and public transport links which can be developed separately from the existing Transport 21 programme.