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Trans European Transport Network Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 December 2018

Wednesday, 12 December 2018

Questions (6, 41)

Oral answers (7 contributions)

I thank the Minister. Before I move to the next question, I welcome the junior class from Rosses community school in Dungloe, County Donegal, the town of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher. Fáilte romhaibh go léir go dtí Leinster House inniu. As it happens, the next question is in the name of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

6. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the TEN-T priority projects for County Donegal; the timeline for these projects in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51966/18]

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Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

41. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the priority TEN-T projects for County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51965/18]

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Ba mhaith liom cúpla soicind a úsáid chun fáilte a chur roimh na daltaí agus na múinteoirí atá anseo ó Phobalscoil na Rosann. Tá súil agam go mbainfaidh siad tairbhe agus sult as a dturas go Baile Átha Cliath, go dtí Teach Laighean agus go dtí Brother Kevin sna Capuchins.

I wish to ask the Minister to update me on the TEN-T priority projects for Donegal and the timescales he sees for them.

I welcome the pupils from the school mentioned. They have a worthy representative speaking on behalf of Donegal today, who will no doubt give me and successive Ministers a difficult time if we do not deliver for Donegal.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 41 together.

First, I would like to explain that, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have overall responsibility for funding and policy concerning the national roads programme. However under the Roads Acts the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in the case of local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, in conjunction with the relevant local authority in the case of national roads.

The TEN-T priority improvement projects in Donegal consist of improvements and realignment of three sections of the national road network. These are the Ballybofey and Stranorlar bypass on the N13 and N15; the N56-N13-N14 Letterkenny to Manorcunningham route; and the N14 link between Manorcunningham and Lifford, Strabane and the A5.

TII has advised my Department of the current status of the projects. Technical advisers are continuing to develop the schemes through phases 1 to 4 of the project management guidelines. A number of route options have been identified and it is anticipated that the preferred routes will be presented to the public in early 2019. The preferred routes will then be brought forward for further design and appraisal during 2019. The construction timetable is estimated to be in the region of approximately 36 months with an estimated completion date at the end of 2027. However I would like to stress that any timeframe is dependant on obtaining the necessary consents at various critical stages, including at the route selection, detailed design and tender stages. Meeting the requirements of the public spending code, obtaining planning consent from An Bord Pleanála and an adequate capital budget are also critical to delivering the project.

These TEN-T projects will greatly improve journey times, improve safety and significantly improve local and regional connectivity which will help strengthen economic growth for Donegal.

I welcome the fact that progress is being made, and I realise that first of all a route must be selected. I would like to think that every opportunity would be given to those who are affected by the construction of the new road. I refer to Ballybofey and Stranorlar in particular. In my time in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport we had already decided on a route for a bypass. It has now moved to the other side of the town. My concern is that it may be so far from the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar that it may affect their economic development.

I would like to think the Minister will pass on my views to the TII and ensure that the selection will not have adverse effects on the town. The route from Letterkenny to Manorcunningham, which is the Bonagee link, is vital and it is important that those along the route have an input. After the Manorcunningham to Lifford route is constructed to link up with the A5, it will ensure that through the A5 and M2 there will be a motorway all the way to Dublin. It is important the Minister makes my views known to the TII and ensure we can progress quickly.

I assure the Deputy I will make his views known to the TII. I will make sure they are passed on. He should not underestimate the cost of the project, which is €400 million. It is split approximately as follows: section 1 from Ballybofey and Stranorlar will cost €115 million; section 2 from Letterkenny to Manorcunningham will cost €99 million; and section 3 from Manorcunningham to Lifford and Strabane, which is the A5 link, will cost €186 million. These are only estimates and the budget costs will be clear when the projects progress to business case stage.

The TEN-T projects in Donegal form part of the designated comprehensive network. The Deputy will be familiar with the TEN-T regulation targets from his time at the European Parliament. In Donegal, the TEN-T includes the N15 as far as the junction with the N13, the N13 to Letterkenny and onto the Border and the N14. In June, the European Commission published a proposal for a new regulation for the connecting Europe facility, CEF, which is the funding instrument for the European transport network, to come into effect from 1 January 2021. The comprehensive cross-Border road link between Dublin, Strabane and Letterkenny is included in the annexe to the proposal, meaning the Irish elements of the route could, in principle, apply for CEF funding when the regulation comes into effect.

While all of these are important - I hope we all live to see them - and they will be of major benefit to Donegal, if they can be expedited, they should be because they should be Brexit-proofed. Whatever the outcome of Brexit, Donegal will be more affected than any other part so it is vital we have a motorway right through to Dublin. This is not the end of developments in Donegal. I acknowledge the work being done on the N56 in Mountcharles, Inver, my area of Glenties, Dungloe and around the coast. It is important there are linkages from the north, west and east of the county into the TEN-Ts as otherwise only one part of the county might benefit. We want to ensure a proper road structure throughout. I acknowledge the work done on the N56 and we are grateful to the TII.

The most important point the Deputy made - and I do not in any way suggest the others were not important - was the fact that Donegal, as are other Border counties, is looking on the arrival of Brexit with a certain degree of trepidation. It is important to the Deputy and his colleagues that Donegal does not suffer as a result of Brexit but this is in flux. In these circumstances, the Border areas of Donegal, Monaghan, Cavan and others that have made special pleadings in the House have the right to be looked upon sympathetically and I will do so.

The Deputy has made a good case. The situation with TEN-T funding is something upon which we cannot depend but irrespective of the funding mechanism, every opportunity will be taken to access any EU funding that may be available and appropriate for the projects the Deputy has mentioned. I assure him that the matter will be kept under review and that I will convey his views to the TII.

Question No. 7 replied to with Written Answers.
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