SINN Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney has said that if reports coming out of Dublin that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is preparing a plan to recommit the €465milion Irish government contribution to the completion of the A5 Derry/Dublin dual Carriageway it is a very welcome development.
Raymond McCartney said: “The A5 and A6 Routes are essential to economic development of the North West.
“Leo Varadkar during his Fine Gael Leadership bid raised the possibility of reinstating the Irish government’s original €465million financing commitment for the Derry/Dublin road dual carriageway.
“If reports emanating from government sources in Dublin are correct it would seem that his proposal has moved a step closer to realisation.
“Dublin sources are suggesting that an Taoiseach is preparing a major infrastructure investment plan which would include recommitting the €465million contribution which was withdrawn by his predecessor Enda Kenny.
“The impact it would have on economic development of Derry and Donegal cannot be underestimated.
“But as we said when he original raised the possibility during his bid for Fine Gael Leadership plans and promises are fine and good but we want to see delivery.
“After overcoming a number of obstacles it is now expected that work will begin in the autumn on the £150 million dualling of the Derry to Strabane section of the A5. This represents the first phase of the of the dual carriageway Dublin route.
“Leo Varadkar’s plan if delivered on this time would represent a massive vote of confidence for the future of the North West economy.
“The importance of this project has never been more important given the implications of BREXIT.
“The Derry and the North West region needs to reinforce its connections with the capital city through projects such as the A5 rather than the imposition of border tariffs and other financial penalties which Sinn Féin MEP Martina Anderson and others are working on daily to try to counteract by securing Designated Status for the north.
“Sinn Féin Ministers while holding the Ministerial portfolio in the Assembly have been to the fore in progressing these economic building blocks for this region.
“Sinn Féin MPs, TDs, MEP’s, Senators and councillors particularly in the Border will maintain the pressure to deliver the infrastructural investment and job creation initiatives required for Foyle and the North West.”
