Vol. 314 No. 3
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of a letter addressed by Donegal County Council to all Donegal Deputies and Senators expressing concern about the lack of progress with the cross-Border communications study formally presented to the Governments of the Irish Republic and United Kingdom on 13 December 1977; and if he will make a statement on the matter with special reference to where work has commenced particularly in Donegal.
2.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action that has been taken to date to implement the recommendations of the "Cross-Border Communications Study for the Derry-Donegal Area" undertaken by the Commission of the European Communities, and in particular, the measures taken for: (a) the development of telecommunications, (b) road improvements generally, (c) road improvements between Letterkenny and Derry, (d) improvements in rail services, (e) improvements in road passenger services, (f) the possibility of Dublin-Donegal-Derry air links, (g) other developments, (h) the financial commitment already made, (i) the extent to which land acquisition is necessary for road improvements and the number of miles of road improvement lines (i) acquired, (ii) not yet acquired, (iii) under compulsory purchase order.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 1 and 2 together.
I am aware of the letter referred to by Deputy Harte. The Government share fully the desire of local representatives in the area to ensure progress on the study and are proceeding with its implementation as rapidly as the various practical and financial constraints will allow. It is precisely because of the Government's commitment to cross-Border economic co-operation that we have embarked upon speedy implementation of the recommendations contained in the study referred to by the Deputy. The progress to date is indicated in detail in a progress report dated April 1979 on the implementation of the study recommendations which I sent to the secretary of Donegal County Council on 19 April.
I should add that on cross-Border projects generally I am very pleased that from the time my colleagues at the Council of Ministers were first made aware of the importance of these projects by me in October 1977 I and my colleagues in Government have been able to rely on their consistent support, and that of the Commission, in this area.
Again, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate a detailed statement setting out progress on the implementation of the study to date.
Following is the statement:
Progress Report on Implementation of Cross-Border Communications Study for the Derry and Donegal Area.
1. In 1976 the Irish and British Governments appointed consultants to carry out a study on cross-Border communications with the following terms of reference:
To examine communications, including transportation (e.g. roads, railways, ports, airports, telecommunications) in the Derry and Donegal area in the light of existing projects and plans in order to determine their adequacy and to make recommendations for future development, having regard to financial constraints.
2. The consultants' report, half the cost of which was financed from the EEC Regional Fund, was published in December 1977. Subsequently the main recommendations of the report were endorsed in a separate study carried out by the EEC Economic and Social Committee which was published in June 1978.
3. The implementation of the recommendations in the consultants' report is being monitored at official level by representatives from the respective Government Departments. Meetings on both sides of the border at ministerial and official level have also taken place with local interests, including local councillors. A deputation from the three councils in the area met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Michael O'Kennedy, TD, on 23 February. The Minister emphasised to the deputation his appreciation of the work done by the councils in relation to the report and his desire to keep the councils briefed fully and regularly on the measures of implementation proposed. He undertook to communicate to the councils a progress report on the implementation of the report.
4. Immediately following publication the Government put in hand an intensive examination of the consultants' findings by all the relevant Departments and official agencies concerned. The first stage of this examination was completed in June 1978 and at that time the Government reached agreement in principle on a programme of implementation covering the main areas of the consultants' recommendations. The following is the present position in regard to the principal measures envisaged by the consultants for implementation in Donegal:
(a) Roads
The programme of implementation approved by the Government in June 1978 provided for the full implementation of the first stage of the road programme for North Donegal recommended by the consultants.
In line with this commitment work is already proceeding on a number of roads in Donegal singled out by the consultants for priority action in their road programme for north Donegal up to 1985. Early implementation of many of the other recommended road improvement schemes for which planning is at an advanced stage can be expected.
Road grants allocated for work in the Donegal section of the study area in 1979 include £165,000 for schemes on the Letterkenny/Derry road (National Primary N. 13); £50,000 for the completion of the Lifford By-Pass; £30,000 for the Letterkenny By-Pass and £40,000 for the Stranorlar/Letterkenny route. In addition to the above grants, totalling £285,000, a general block grant of £781,000 has been allocated to Donegal County Council for 1979 for work on roads other than national roads at the discretion of the council.
The detailed position regarding the programme of road improvements in Donegal is as follows:
Co. Donegal: Inter-Urban Roads
Letterkenny-Pluck Cross, N. 13
National Primary
Outline design has been completed, and a detailed ground survey has been carried out to enable the detailed road design to proceed.
At the present rate of progress it is expected that it will be possible for work to begin on the scheme towards the end of 1980. The design involved a detour from the existing route at Pluck Cross, connecting back at Manorcunningham on the Derry side.
Bridgend-Pluck Cross, N. 13 National
Primary
Two remaining sections of this route are included in current improvement programmes:
(i) 2 miles at Manorcunningham adjoining the Letterkenny-Pluck Cross route;
(ii) Newtowncunningham By-Pass.
Scheme (I)
Construction on the scheme has commenced; prospects are that it will take a further two years to complete.
Scheme (II)
Outline design stage for this scheme has been completed.
Letterkenny-Kilmacrennan, N. 56
National Secondary
Detailed design for a 1½ mile section of this route adjoining Letterkenny has been completed. A scheme of improvement works on the route, south of Kilmacrennan, is in progress, and will be completed during the current year.
Strabane-Lifford, N. 14 National
Primary
The proposed through-pass at Lifford has two elements:
(i) Strabane-Letterkenny link.
(ii) Strabane-Ballybofey link.
Scheme (I) is at an advanced stage and is well on the way to completion.
Scheme (II) was not included in the programme drawn up by the consultants but is scheduled in the county programme for the second half of the 1980s. Detailed design has been completed and land asquisition by CPO confirmed.
Urban Through Routes
Letterkenny
A scheme linking the Letterkenny-Pluck Cross and Letterkenny-Kilmacrennan Roads has been in progress since 1977 and it is expected that part of the overall scheme will be opened to traffic during 1979.
(b) Freight Transport
The passing by the Oireachtas of the Road Transport Act, 1978 has considerably amended the legislation governing the operation of freight transport services and has had the effect of generally liberalising it in the direction recommended by the consultants.
(c) Public Passenger Transport
The two Governments have been jointly considering the problems relating to the operation in the area of the Lough Swilly Bus Company and to this end have commissioned a report by industrial consultants covering all aspects of the company's operations which will be completed in the near future. It is hoped that the report's findings will provide a basis for action by the two Governments to safeguard the level of service in the area.
(d) Ports
Approval has been given for the carrying out of the second stage of the development programme at Greencastle harbour at an estimated cost of £1.12 million. The scheme will include the extension of the existing pier and the construction of a new pier to provide additional berthage accommodation, deepening of the existing berthage area, reclamation of an area of 8,250 square yards and the provision of an auction hall and other ancillary facilities. It is estimated that the works which are now expected to begin in 1980 will take about four years to complete.
(e) Air Transport
A joint study of the aviation and other technical and operational aspects of the proposed Derry-Dublin air-link is currently being carried out by the Department of Tourism and Transport and the British Civil Aviation Authority. This study, which is due to be completed in the near future, is examining the feasibility of such an air-link, alternative possibilities for the operation of the link, the cost of the operation and how this cost might be met. It is understood from the Northern Ireland authorities that additional equipment is being installed and terminal facilities improved at Eglinton Airport by Derry City Council.
(f) Telecommunications and Postal Services
(i) The conversion to automatic working of the telephone exchanges in north Donegal is going ahead as part of a £6.5 million development programme for the improvement of telecommunications in the area. Installation of the automatic equipment is proceeding according to plan at the main Letterkenny exchange. Equipment installation is also in progress at the secondary exchange at Bridgend. It is expected that automatic working will be introduced at Letterkenny in the second half of 1979 and at Bridgend shortly afterwards. Conversion of the balance of the 22 exchanges already contracted for will then follow and should be completed in 1980.
(ii) Contracts for the conversion of a further four exchanges were placed towards the end of last year and tenders for a further eight will be sought in the current year.
(iii) A contract has also been placed for a Dublin-Sligo-Letterkenny radio link which when in operation will significantly improve the level of service between those centres and the study area.
(iv) Derry-Letterkenny-Belfast route —Work on the installation of the underground cable between Derry and Bridgend has commenced and it is expected that it will be ready for testing in June 1979. Provision of this cable will permit the opening of the Letterkenny to Belfast route and subsequent direct dialling from Letterkenny to the Belfast charge group. It will also provide the capacity required for the new direct dialling route between Letterkenny and Derry.
(v) Discussions are also taking place between the two authorities on the possibilities for extending cross-Border direct dialling facilities to a greater number of centres on both sides of the Border.
(vi) Discussions between the respective postal authorities are continuing on the transportation of mail for the northwest through Northern Ireland. Firm proposals designed to reinstate the main link through Northern Ireland are now at the costing stage.
(g) Tourism
The existing excellent informal liaison between Bord Fáilte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board continues.
In regard to tourism co-operation at the local level it has been agreed that the most effective way to achieve the integrated approach recommended in the consultants' report would be to set up a tourism body designated as the North West Tourism Co-operation Group. The group will consist of two officers from each of the tourist boards and will have the task of identifying the tourism development and promotional needs of the area and of making recommendations to the appropriate central and local authorities.
Some preliminary work has already been undertaken by Bord Fáilte, the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and by local organisations on both sides of the border in connection with joint marketing.
EEC Financial Aid
5. A number of the infrastructure projects in north Donegal envisaged in the consultants' report have already been accepted for assistance under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The position in relation to the individual sectors is as follows:
A grant of £1.5 million has been received from the ERDF towards the cost of converting Letterkenny and other smaller exchanges in north Donegal to automatic working.
As regards roads, schemes costing £423,000 have already been accepted in 1978 for assistance from the ERDF and will be in receipt of approximately £127,000. The routes involved include Bridgend-Pluck Cross (N 13), Letterkenny-Kilmacrennan (N 56), Strabane-Lifford (N 14) and the Letterkenny Through Route. There is every reason to believe that future applications in respect of road works in the area will also be favourably considered within the resources of the fund and that the area as a whole will continue to benefit from EEC assistance. Prospects in this regard have been improved by the decision of the Council of Ministers to establish a non-quota section of the Regional Fund and while the detailed regulations for its operation have yet to be decided by the Communities the two administrations are currently examining on a joint basis suitable projects in border areas which might benefit under this arrangement.
6. The consultants in their report emphasised the need for cross-Border co-operation in relation to the study area as a whole and many of the recommendations require joint action by the two Governments for their implementation. At the meeting which the Minister had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on 5 May 1978 it was agreed that a joint committee of officials from North and South should be set up to ensure a co-ordinated approach and monitor implementation of the study. From the work of that committee the Minister is aware of a number of measures which the various Northern Ireland departments are taking to implement recommendations of the report, in particular in relation to the new Foyle bridge, improvements at Derry port and improvements in roads and telecommunications. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of State reviewed progress in all of these areas at their meeting in London on 14 February.
I hope the Minister is not implying that it was only in October 1977 that his colleagues in the Council of Ministers were made aware of the importance of cross-Border co-operation projects.
Is the Deputy asking a question?
I am asking the Minister to say whether his words are intended to mean that it is only since he came into office as Minister that this matter has been brought to the attention of the Council of Ministers. If so, that is absolutely false.
When I first mentioned this to my colleagues in October 1977 none then present seemed to have an awareness that these were matters of priority.
Some of them may have changed in the interim. The Minister will admit that when he was on this side of the House he persistently questioned the National Coalition Government about progress being made and was repeatedly given information about progress—on the European level also.
I acknowledge that I persistently questioned, but I am still saying that my colleagues did not seem to be aware of this as an element of policy and I am glad I have had their support ever since.
If the Minister is seriously saying that this matter was never brought to their attention——
This is argument which is not relevant to the questions.
What does the Minister expect but argument when he makes an allegation like that?
The questions do not refer to who began or did not begin something.
The National Coalition Government inaugurated these studies and I remember answering many questions on the subject here.
I would draw the Chair's attention to the fact that the bell for Question Time did not ring until 2.29 p.m. I came as fast as I could from the other end of the House and missed the first two questions. There may be other Members in the same position.
I am not in a position to say whether or not the bell was rung at the usual time. I regret any delay.
