Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 329: To ask the Minister for Transport the length of the A5 from Aughnacloy to Derry; if in these economic times a saving on the initial expected cost is anticipated; where the project stands at this time; its expected date of completion and any other salient details; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35689/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the agreement of March 2007 between the Irish and British Governments on a funding package to support the restored Northern Ireland Executive, the Irish Government made a commitment to provide funding of £400/€580 million in a roads investment package for Northern Ireland which will contribute to the upgrading of the A5 road from Aughnacloy to Derry/Londonderry to dual-carriageway status. The Irish Government's contribution will be made on the basis of actual expenditure incurred during the development and construction phases. In this context drawdown of funding depends on the achievement of agreed project milestones and clearance by the Cross-Border Roads Steering Group and North-South Ministerial Council.

The A5 project is being implemented by the Roads Service of Northern Ireland (RSNI). I understand that work is currently progressing well to meet the next key project milestone – Publication of Draft Orders – in late 2010. The expected completion date of the project is July 2015.