Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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279. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will outline the Government’s commitment to the funding of the project to upgrade the A5 road; the amount of money that has been set aside for the co-funding of the project over a multi-year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1913/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the authorities in  Northern Ireland.  

The funding arrangements in relation to the A5 have been governed by the 2014 Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start. Under this Agreement the Government is committed to provide funding of £75 million towards the cost of the A5 upgrade scheme once the statutory planning process in Northern Ireland is concluded. The Government is committed to deliver on its funding commitment to the A5 project, which is also included in the "New Decade, New Approach" document of 2020.  

As is the case for all such capital projects, the A5 upgrade scheme is subject to the planning assessment and approval process in Northern Ireland and since 2012 there have been a number of legal challenges.  This has led to unavoidable delays to the implementation of the proposed scheme.

In 2017 the Department for Infrastructure decided to proceed with the A5 scheme. However, this was challenged, and the decision to proceed was quashed by the High Court in November 2018 when the Department announced it would no longer defend the case. 

Following the conclusion of that legal action, the Department for Infrastructure updated environmental assessments for the project and undertook further public consultations. Despite the delays which have taken place, the public inquiry will be re-opened in January 2023.

Allowing for the time required for the conclusion of the public inquiry and for all new decisions to be implemented, together with the possibility of a further legal challenge, the timeframe for delivery of the A5 project is still uncertain. However, provision of £25 million sterling is being made by my Department in 2023 for funding the scheme, should this be required.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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280. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on progress that is being made with a matter (details supplied); when design-and-build contracts will be issued; the estimated total investment cost for this project at present; the projected timeline for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1963/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and construction of national roads, is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question, on this occasion, to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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281. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when specific allocations of funding for national roads will be announced in 2023; if this will include funding for the commencement of construction on a section of road (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1971/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme.  Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.

The allocations for national roads in 2023 are currently being finalised and will be announced by TII shortly.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question regarding the N59, on this occasion, to TII for a direct update on this scheme.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.