Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 June 2023
57. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if the Government will commit to funding 50% of the A5 upgrade project, as agreed in the St. Andrews Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30076/23]
View answerThe planning and implementation of the A5 upgrade project is the responsibility of the authorities in Northern Ireland.
The funding arrangements in relation to the A5 have been governed by the 2014 Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start, and under this Agreement the Government is committed to provide funding of £75 million towards the cost of the A5 upgrade scheme once the statutory planning process in Northern Ireland is concluded.
The Government is committed to deliver on its funding commitment to the A5 project, which is also included in the "New Decade, New Approach" document of 2020 and most recently, in our revised National Development Plan.
Allowing for the time required for the conclusion of a public inquiry process and for all new decisions to be implemented, together with the possibility of a further legal challenge, the timeframe for delivery of the A5 project is uncertain. However, provision of £25 million sterling is being made by my Department in 2023 for funding the scheme, should this be required.
