Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014
37. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the release of funding by the State for the development of the A5 road project; and the progress being made on the upgrades to the A5. [21596/14]
View answerAt the most recent North South Ministerial Council Transport Sectoral meeting on 16th April 2014, the Council noted that following the Court judicial review ruling on 8th April 2013, work was progressing on an Appropriate Assessment process to address impacts of the A5 scheme on all designated environmental areas and to propose mitigation and that the completed reports would be subject to public consultation. Three reports were published on 30 April and I understand that a fourth report will be published in September. In addition the Department for Regional Development is reviewing and updating the Environmental Statement for the scheme, the draft Vesting Order and the draft Direction Order and I understand that the Department proposes to initiate a public consultation process on these in November.
At its meeting in April the Council also noted that an outline programme has been developed which may lead to a further Public Inquiry in spring/summer 2015.
As regards the Government's £50 Sterling million funding commitment, my officials will be liaising with their Northern Ireland counterparts on the project programme with a view to agreeing appropriate project milestones for the draw down of funding.
