THE GOVERNMENT is proceeding with plans to spend €9 million on road projects in Northern Ireland despite the financial difficulties created by the recession.
The plenary meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council (NSMC) at Farmleigh yesterday was told that Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey would make the €9 million payment to the Northern Ireland Consolidated Fund of the Belfast powersharing administration before the end of this year.
The allocation for road improvements is intended to bring the routes in question up to dual-carriageway standard. It is part of a commitment by the Government in March 2007 to contribute funds for infrastructural development with a view to assisting the new administrative arrangements brought in as part of the peace process.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said after the NSMC meeting: “It is as important for the people on our side of the Border as it is for people within Northern Ireland itself. This is a classic example of a win-win situation and we are absolutely committed to that project.”
A joint communiqué issued after the NSMC meeting said: “The council welcomed the good progress on the A5 [Aughnacloy to the northwest] and A8 [Belfast to Larne] road projects and noted that an important milestone, confirmation of the preferred routes, is expected to be announced shortly.
“They, therefore, agreed that payment of €9 million will be made by the Minister for Transport to the NI Consolidated Fund before the end of 2009, in accordance with an agreed payments procedure. The council agreed to consider a further progress report at the next NSMC Plenary.”
At a news conference afterwards the Taoiseach was asked if the fact that the Government was going to go ahead with the A5 and A8 projects was an indication that it was prepared to honour the pledges it had given to assist in improving the infrastructure in Northern Ireland, despite current economic difficulties.
“Yes, I think that’s true,” Mr Cowen said, “and it’s also of course the case that this is all for our mutual benefit.
“The whole opening-up of the northwest of the island of Ireland is very important, both in the context of Northern Ireland and in the context of the Republic.
“It is an obviously important flagship project to which I have been firmly committed from the outset, as minister for finance. I and Peter [Robinson] had discussed this matter in our respective capacities at that time and indeed in the NSMC format in the past.
“We have always regarded this, as a Government, as a very important project for opening up tourism and investment possibilities for the northwest,” the Taoiseach said.
