Forty-seven people have lost their lives on the A5 since 2007 – the year when plans to create a dual carriageway were first announced.
The latest fatality near Aughnacloy last month claimed the lives of three members of the same family. They were brother and sister Dan McKane and Christine Duffy, and their aunt Julia McSorley.
The public inquiry into the A5 dual carriageway scheme reopens today in Omagh.
Last Tuesday evening hundreds attended a public meeting in Tyrone led by a grassroots campaign, Enough is Enough. The campaign is led by Tyrone GAA and the families of those who lost their lives on the A5.
There can be no further delays to the A5 upgrade, Sinn Féin Deputy Pearse Doherty told the Dáil ahead of his attendance at today’s inquiry.
He said the government’s commitment must be more than simply words, it must be backed with funding to get it over the line.
Speaking during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil on Thursday, Deputy Doherty said: “For too long this project, which is critical to save lives and improve the economic prospects of the entire north west, has been beset by legal challenges and public inquiries. Its delivery and the people who depend on this road to be completed can no longer be frustrated by delays or lack of funding commitment.”
The Sinn Féin deputy leader asked the Government to recommit to the delivery of the A5 upgrade.
Minister for Finance Deputy Michael McGrath agreed that the project is “well overdue”.
“That most recent tragedy was absolutely awful and our deepest sympathies go to the family and community concerned,” Minister McGrath said.
The most recent cost estimate of the upgrade is £1.6bn.
Minister McGrath said that the Government has committed to provide funding of £75 million towards the cost of the A5 upgrade scheme once the statutory planning process in Northern Ireland has been concluded..
He added that “Provision has been made in the Department of Transport budget here in the current year of £25 million in the event that the scheme is approved and funding is actually needed.”
“There is a willingness on the part of the Irish Government to re-examine this issue to see what more we can do to help bring the project to fruition.”
He said that the Irish Government “will not be found wanting” in its support of the project.
