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. 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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), 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.

I can confirm that €600,000 has been allocated for the N17 Knock to Collooney scheme in 2023. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for this project will be kept under review for 2024 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.

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

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. 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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), 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 on.

I can confirm that €600,000 has been allocated for the N2 Ardee to Castleblayney scheme in 2023 in order to meet project commitments. In addition, the N2 Clontibret to the Border scheme was recently selected to receive EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding to the amount of approximately €2.3 million, and matching funding will be provided through TII. As with all national roads projects in the NDP, the delivery programme for these projects will be kept under review for 2024 and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.

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

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Neither I nor officials in my Department have met with stakeholders involved in the A5 Enough is Enough campaign, however, officials in my Department engage regularly with the Senior Officials Group on North/South Infrastructure and Investment. The purpose of the group is to facilitate discussion between the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on the implementation of relevant commitments. This aims to drive forward implementation of North/South infrastructure and investment commitments set out in the framework of New Decade, New Approach, including projects such as the A5.

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, and 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. Provision of £25 million sterling is being made by my Department in 2023 for funding the scheme, should this be required.

The Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland estimates the total scheme cost for the A5 project is £1.6 billion with completion expected by 2032/2033 and the largest funding demands over the 2025 to 2028 period. The Department for Infrastructure expects to have the report of the Public Inquiry by year end and possibly sooner. The Department for Infrastructure has informed the Department of Transport that construction of the Main Works is currently planned to start in April or May of 2024 with the commencement of Section 1 from Newbuildings to Strabane. However, this is subject to a number of conditions being met, including a positive outcome from the report of the recently concluded Public Inquiry, completion of the Statutory Orders and agreement of a Target Cost with the contractor. If there is a further legal challenge the start dates will likely be revisited.