Skip to main content
Normal View

Road Projects Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2013

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

Questions (752, 753, 754, 755)

Micheál Martin

Question:

752. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding for the A5 dual carriageway has been ring-fenced following the Northern Ireland High Court's decision to quash planning permission for the A5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20187/13]

View answer

Micheál Martin

Question:

753. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he plans to meet with the Northern Ireland First Minister and Deputy First Minister to discuss the future of the A5 following the Northern Ireland High Court decision to quash planning permission for the route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20186/13]

View answer

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

754. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to meet with the Northern Ireland First Minister and Deputy First Minister to discuss the future of the A5 following the Northern Ireland High Court decision to quash planning permission for the route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20176/13]

View answer

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

755. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding for the A5 dual carriageway has been ring-fenced following the Northern Ireland High Court's decision to quash planning permission for the A5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20177/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 752 to 755, inclusive, together.

The commitment of the Irish Government as set out in November 2011 to this project remains in place at this time. I have no specific plans to meet the Northern Ireland First Minister or Deputy First Minister on this issue. However contact between our two sponsoring Departments is ongoing, I am kept appraised of progress and any significant developments are discussed at plenary meetings of the North South Ministerial Council.

At the North-South Ministerial Council plenary on 18 November 2011, it was noted that the Irish Government would provide £25 million per annum in 2015 and 2016 towards the A5 road project. This is further to £22 million that the Irish Government has already contributed to the project as part of the planning process.  It brings the Exchequer commitment to £72 million.

The Northern Ireland Road Service had planned to start construction on two of the approved sections of the A5 in autumn last year. However, following publication of the necessary statutory Orders in advance of construction, the Minister for Regional Development’s decision to proceed with the A5 was challenged by a group known as the Alternative A5 Alliance.

While the Northern High Court rejected the majority of the applicants’ grounds of challenge, one was upheld.  The judge found that an appropriate assessment under the Habitats Directive should have been carried out on the scheme.  On that basis at a further hearing on 8 April 2013 the judge confirmed he would quash the Orders relating to the A5 scheme.

The project was discussed at the North South Ministerial Council Transport Sectoral on 17 April and the Minister for Regional Development now plans to undertake the environmental assessment required under the Habitats Directive. This is a necessary first step to progress the project and it must be allowed run its course.

Top
Share