Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

291. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the N2 A5 project in light of recent accidents on this road, the urgent need to prioritise the completion of this road upgrade and the timeline for its delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29030/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. In this context, TII is best placed to advise you.

The N2 Clontibret to the Border project is currently at the Design and Environmental Evaluation stage of the project management guidelines, and is expected to be submitted for approval in principal under the public spending code by the end of this year or early 2026. As part of the recently announced National Road allocations for 2025, the project received an allocation of €3,000,000.

The N2 Ardee to Castleblayney project is also at the Design and Environmental Evaluation stage but it was not possible to provide an allocation for the project in 2025. However, it will be considered for funding in future years.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply concerning both projects on the N2. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

The funding arrangements in relation to the A5 were governed by the 2014 Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start, and under this Agreement the Government had previously committed to provide funding of £75 million towards the cost of the A5 upgrade scheme once the statutory planning process in Northern Ireland was concluded. It was announced on February 20th 2024 that as part of Government funding commitments for Shared Island projects, €600 million was being committed for the progression of the A5 project.

The planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the authorities in Northern Ireland. As such, the matter of the overall cost of the project is for the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. It estimates the total scheme cost for the A5 project is c. £1.6 billion, with completion expected by 2032/2033 and the largest funding demands over the 2025 to 2028 period. I can confirm that my Department regularly engages with colleagues in the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland. These engagements consider a range of North/South transport proposals, including the A5.

The A5 project has been approved by the Northern Ireland Executive on October 2nd last year. This will mean that 55km of the project can proceed to construction, subject to the agreement of terms with the appointed contractor and the conclusion of an ongoing legal challenge.