Donegal’s lack of air and road links to the rest of the country is to be debated in the Seanad today.
The key Seanad debate with the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, will discuss the funding of the A5 road and the future of City of Derry Airport.
Donegal Senator Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, who secured the debate said maps outlining the North-West’s infrastructure do not lie.
“Just a look at the map of rail links, motorways and air links in Ireland will reveal to anyone the scale of the neglect and transport injustice that the people of Donegal and the North West have endured. I will be insisting that our people demand equality of access. We demand fairness.
“Since 2011, the Irish Government have not contributed one cent to the City of Derry Airport even though 40% of the passengers are from Donegal. That’s 150,000 passengers every year. This has to change.
“I will also demand that the hugely reduced financial commitment by the Irish Government to the crucial A5 dual carriageway from Donegal and Derry to Dublin is urgently revised. This commitment arising from the St Andrews Agreement was originally £400 sterling. It is now €75 million euro.
“I have repeatedly called for the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross to come in to the Seanad and debate the need for the Irish Government to step up to the plate and address this injustice in a way that demonstrates urgency. I am delighted to have this opportunity tomorrow. Both Minister Ross and his Government colleagues will not be allowed to walk away from their responsibilities”.
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