Vol. 535 No. 5
179 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the discussions he has had with his counterpart in the Northern Executive regarding the development of a better road access to Donegal and the north west region through the A5/N2 route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13157/01]
I attended the first Transport Sector meetings of the British-Irish Council – BIC – and the North-South Ministerial Council – NSMC – on 19 December 2000, which provided a useful opportunity to exchange information, consult and agree on co-operation on matters of mutual interest in the transport area. The BIC agreed on a number of areas to be considered with a view to identifying those issues which would most benefit all members, including the development of sustainable transport policies, improved links with peripheral regions, programmes to improve road and rail safety, and practical measures which can be taken to increase co-operation in relation to the road transport industry.
The Northern Ireland Executive is to take the lead in this area and detailed recommendations are to be prepared for work in a number of initial priority areas, which will be submitted to a further BIC meeting for approval. This framework will facilitate discussion and co-operation on matters of mutual interest in the transport area. Substantial improvements to the N2 will be carried out under the National Development Plan 2000-2006.
