Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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333. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the full costings for the St. Andrew's Agreement commitment to co-fund the construction of the A5 to Derry. [12504/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​In the context of the St. Andrew's Agreement the then Government committed that it would contribute £400 million sterling to the cost of the upgrade of the A5 road scheme.  This original funding commitment was intended to cover a road infrastructure package, including the A5 and A8, to support the restoration of the Executive but for administrative reasons it was decided that the funding would be paid out on the A5.

When the financial crisis hit, the Government decided in November 2011 (S180/20/10/1267A) at the time of the 2012-2016 Capital Programme that its commitment to provide funding for the A5 road project would have to be deferred but it indicated that a commitment could be made to provide £50m (sterling) towards the project.

As the Deputy is aware the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and committed 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.