Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 25: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress of the A5 Dublin to Derry road. [8606/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy's question relates to the A5 roads project. In 2006, the Irish Government gave a commitment to co-fund the construction of the A5 through Northern Ireland to Derry thus improving access to Letterkenny and North Donegal. Up to the end of 2011, funding of £19 million (Sterling) was paid by the Government towards the planning of the project. A further £3 million (Sterling) has been paid in February 2012 in relation to the completion of the Public Inquiry on the project.

At the North South Ministerial Council Plenary meeting on 18th November 2011, Ministers noted that the provision of further funding by the Irish Government for the A5 road was being deferred but that the Government will provide £25m per annum in 2015 and 2016 towards the project. It should be noted that this is the most significant commitment the current Government has made to any non-PPP roads project in the country.

It was also noted that a new funding and implementation plan for the project would be prepared for agreement at the next NSMC Transport meeting with endorsement at the next NSMC Plenary meeting.

The Regional Development Minister, Mr Danny Kennedy, has now announced that following a re-evaluation of the Northern Ireland roads programme, funding has been secured for two significant elements of the A5 dual carriageway project, between Derry and Strabane, and Omagh and Ballygawley. This is very welcome as it will improve journey times between North Donegal and the Greater Dublin Area. It is anticipated, subject to the outcome of the Public Inquiry on the project, that both sections could commence construction later this year.

This announcement will be reflected in the revised implementation