Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2013
21. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he is making to push forward the A5 road project and ensure that his Department lives up to its commitments in view of recent difficulties. [22898/13]
View answer65. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update in his Department's commitment to the completion of the A5 road project; and the money that has already been spent on this project. [22899/13]
View answer78. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the communications he has had with the Stormont Executive in view of the recent difficulties halting the A5 road project and its vital role in improving infrastructure in the north west. [22903/13]
View answer83. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he is making to progress the A5 road project and ensure that his Department lives up to its commitments in view of the recent difficulties. [22901/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 65, 78 and 83 together.
These relate to the A5 road project. The Government's commitment to the A5 project, as outlined at the North South Ministerial Council in November 2011 remains in place. At that NSMC plenary session it was noted that the Irish Government would provide £25 million in 2015 and in 2016 towards the A5 road project. This is further to the £22 million that the Irish Government has already contributed to the project as part of the planning process. This 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 Sectorial on 17 April 2013 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 to run its course. Contact between my Department and the Northern Ireland Road Authorities is ongoing under the aegis of the North South Ministerial Council.
