As I indicated to the Deputy in my reply to Question No. 586 of 24 November, reference 41655/15, "A Fresh Start – the Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan" was concluded on 17th November and it states that the Irish Government remains supportive of the commitment to co-fund the construction of the A5 and notes that the planning issues related to the project are currently being addressed by the Northern Ireland authorities.
Under the Agreement the Government reaffirms its commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and has committed to provide an additional £25 million to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the necessary planning issues have been resolved by the Northern Ireland authorities. It is envisaged that construction of Phase 1 of the A5 will start in 2017 with a view to completion in 2019. In keeping with the revised project timeline, the Government funding will be provided in three tranches of £25 million in the years 2017, 2018 and 2019 respectively. I have no function in relation to funding commitments of the Northern Ireland Executive.
