Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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717. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of completing the A5 road; the cost to the State to date and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46105/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In "A Fresh Start - the Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan" which was concluded on 17 November the Irish Government reaffirms its commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and has committed to provide an additional £25 million to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the necessary planning issues have been resolved by the Northern Ireland authorities. It is envisaged that construction of Phase 1 of the A5 will start in 2017 with a view to completion in 2019. In keeping with the revised project timeline, the Government funding is to be provided in three tranches of £25 million in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively.

  In light of the Fresh Start Agreement, it will be a matter for the Northern authorities once the planning process is concluded to review the scheme costs taking into account the proposed phased delivery of the scheme.

To date the Irish Government has contributed £22 million towards the cost of the A5 project.