Cross-border engagement on delivery of A5 upgrade must happen following court ruling – Feighan

Engagement between Transport departments north and south of the border must take place to ensure the delivery of the A5 road upgrade, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Party Spokesperson on Northern Ireland, Frank Feighan TD, expressed disappointment at a ruling this week by the High Court in Belfast in favour of a legal challenge to the upgrade of the A5, which links counties Donegal to Monaghan through counties Tyrone and Derry.

Deputy Feighan said: “I note the statement of the Minister for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, Liz Kimmins, who has confirmed that she will consider the judgment in full and remains committed to delivering the A5 upgrade [1].

“These comments are very welcome and essential in my view to ensure the concerns of so many people living, and commuting to work who use the A5 are considered.

“The A5 upgrade is of huge significance for everyone who needs a better, safer road connection, in the North-West and beyond.

“I now hope that the issues raised by the judgment will be promptly addressed as needed by the relevant Northern Ireland authorities.

“I urge the first and deputy first Ministers of Northern Ireland to prioritise a plan of action after the process of consideration of the judgement has concluded, with a view to preparing a new pathway to deliver the A5 project which deals with the legal and technical issues that resulted in the High Court ruling.

“I want to welcome the fact that the Government’s funding commitment of €600m remains to enable the delivery of this long-awaited project.

“I for my part will continue to press the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, alongside our Minister for Transport and his Department, to engage with Executive counterparts on this, with a view to supporting the A5 project and ensuring that it moves forward as soon as possible” concluded Deputy Feighan.