Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
1331. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions he has had with either the Northern Ireland authorities and or the UK government regarding the progression of the A5 and N2 cross-Border motorway project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36120/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs regards the A5 scheme, the planning and implementation of the project is the responsibility of the Northern Ireland authorities. As the Deputy is aware, the Stormont House Agreement and Implementation Plan - A Fresh Start - reaffirmed the Government's commitment to provide funding of £50m for the A5 project and committed an additional £25m to ensure that Phase 1 of the project (Newbuildings to north of Strabane) can commence as soon as the planning process in Northern Ireland has been concluded.
The A5 project has been discussed on a regular basis under the aegis of the NSMC Plenary and Transport Sectoral meetings. In addition my Department is represented on the Senior Officials Group established to oversee implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement. The most recent meeting of this Group took place on 7th June this year at which the Northern Ireland officials indicated that the Department for Infrastructure was considering the findings of the A5 Inquiry Inspector's report.
As regards the N2, while I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme the planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
