Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
1331. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and other sources under the capital plan to the Cork Limerick road; the estimated cost of the project; the expected completion time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19757/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1332. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and other sources under the capital plan for the A5 upgrade road; the estimated cost of the project; the expected completion time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19758/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1333. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the allocation from the Exchequer and other sources under the capital plan to the Narrow Water bridge project; the estimated cost of the project; the expected completion time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19759/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1331 to 1333, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Capital Plan published in September 2015 outlined proposed transport investment priorities to 2022. While the transport element of the Capital Plan did provide for some targeted investment in a number of new projects in the Munster region, it was not possible to include the M20 in the Capital Plan as the scale of investment to deliver it was not affordable.
I am conscious of the potential regional development benefits of an upgrade of the Cork to Limerick link and in this regard I agreed to TII spending €1 million to review the status of work undertaken previously and to update certain inputs including traffic studies. I do expect that the status of the Cork to Limerick road link will be examined as part of the Review of the Capital Plan which is under way. In relation to the Narrow Water Bridge project, while the Capital Plan outlines the Government commitment to the concept of the Bridge, it does not provide specific funding for the project. Under the Fresh Start Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Government agreed to undertake a review of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge project with a view to identifying options for its future development, for consideration by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).
Discussions have been under way at senior official level with the Northern Ireland authorities regarding co-operation on commitments in the Fresh Start Agreement, including the Narrow Water Bridge project. Pending the outcome of consideration of options in relation to the proposed project, no provision has been made for project funding.
As the Deputy is aware the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start - reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50 million for the A5 project and committed an additional £25 million to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (New buildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the necessary planning issues have been resolved by the Northern Ireland authorities. A specific allocation for the A5 project has not been provided to this Department under the Capital Plan.
