Sinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty says the government must recommit to funding the A5 on a 50/50 basis.
Earlier this week in the Dáil, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced that he intends to bring a proposal to Cabinet next week recommending an increase in the Irish Government contribution to the cost of the upgrade to a dual carriageway.
With the restoration of the Executive in the North last week, Deputy Doherty identified the A5 upgrade as a critical infrastructure project which now needed to come to fruition.
He said the road upgrade was agreed to by the British and Irish governments in the St. Andrew’s Agreement back in 2006 – over 17 years ago.
“Everyone knew then that this project is key to unlocking the economic potential of the North West. A region which repeatedly records the highest levels of deprivation on the island, and which bore the brunt of partition,” Deputy Doherty said.
However, he stressed, the project is about more than economic development – it is about saving lives. Since 2006, more than 50 people have lost their lives on the road.
“I attended the recent public inquiry in Omagh and heard the testimony from individuals who had lost family members on the road. Their message was clear, enough is enough,” he added.
“So we need to see from this government a recommitment to the commitment that was made in the St. Andrews agreement. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
He said the Irish government committed to fund the project on a 50/50 basis in 2006, but that commitment was scaled down in 2014 to £75 million.
“So Minister, I understand there is a willingness now on the part of the Irish government to increase the level of funding to the A5, but I’m asking you to live by the commitment that was given in the St. Andrews Agreement to fund that project on a 50/50 basis. It is key to unlocking the potential of the North West. It is key to saving lives.”
