A5 - Derry Dual Carraigeway

MYOB wrote: »

Joe Costello's, eh, interesting views on transport projects means I doubt he'll be transport minister after the GE.

NORTHERN IRELAND Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has condemned the Labour Party’s warning that funding from the Republic for the construction of a dual-carriageway from Derry to Tyrone may have to be reviewed.

Labour TD Joe Costello said the party, if it is in power after the next general election, will have to look at all major infrastructure projects, including the plan to upgrade the A5 road from Derry to Aughnacloy.

“I am not saying we will abandon the project, but it will have to be reviewed very carefully considering the financial straits we are in,” he said.

Mr McGuinness, speaking after a meeting of the British-Irish Council, said he had “to record my concern that some individuals in Dublin, not the present Government, are raising questions” about the Republic’s contribution.

The Government has offered £400 million (€487 million) to upgrade the 88km stretch of the A5 from the Border near Aughnacloy, via Omagh and Strabane to Derry, along with the A8 between Newtownabbey and Larne.

“For people to be raising questions around whether or not those projects . . . will go ahead is something that is of serious concern,” said Mr McGuinness.

“I would advise those – one party in particular who have raised this – to recognise that these are vitally important projects for all of the people of the island of Ireland.

“We all understand that the economic fortunes of our people are all inter-linked. It will bring huge benefits to the people,” he said, adding that Inter-Trade Ireland has shown that there is “phenomenal” cross-Border trade going on.

“There is more trade between the North and the Republic than there is with the rest of the EU. We need to continue to encourage people to work in joined-up ways at a time of great economic hardship. Working together can alleviate some of those difficulties.”

The discussions at the British-Irish Council, which includes Ireland, Northern Ireland, the British government, the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, along with the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey, were dominated by economic matters.

Saying that everyone had had “a very good opportunity to compare notes”, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said all the jurisdictions were facing challenges as they tried to repair public finances while stimulating growth.

UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said all of the governments represented faced particular challenges politically and economically. “I think that there was a widespread recognition that economic growth on a sustainable basis is not possible unless you first set out a clear plan on how you are going to restore stability to our . . . finances,” he said.

Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said the Executive is in the final stages of agreeing a budget against a backdrop of significant cuts, particularly on capital spending as a result of cuts imposed by London.

“We are looking at ways of generating further income. We believe that we can meet those challenges, particularly in areas where we can add to and augment the block grant,” he said.

Labour and Fine Gael at odds over Border pledges

DAN KEENAN, Northern News Editor

PLANNED INVESTMENT in cross-Border infrastructure projects will be a key issue for Fine Gael despite Labour misgivings, a Donegal TD has said.

The Irish Government is committed to spending £400 million (€466 million) on key transport projects north of the Border in addition to other planned investments. Taoiseach Brian Cowen underscored this commitment in the immediate aftermath of the Budget.

However, Dublin Central Labour TD Joe Costello believes the next government may not be able to afford key road upgrades linking the Border with Derry and Letterkenny and improving access to Larne harbour in Co Antrim.

“We may not be in a position required to build the road from Dublin as far as Aughnacloy, [Co Tyrone] not to talk about making a half-billion [euro] contribution to Aughnacloy to Derry,” he said.

His remarks have prompted alarm, not just within Northern Ireland, but among Labour’s potential coalition partners in Fine Gael.

Donegal TD Joe McHugh said: “If it’s a case that we are looking at Fine Gael and Labour with the numbers to form a government, then it’s obvious that this is a project we’re going to fight hard for to ensure that it’s on the table.

“It’s not a parochial issue, it’s not just about Donegal, it’s not just about giving money across the Border. It’s about a win-win situation on both sides of the Border.”

The planned A5 Western Transport Corridor is designed to provide 85km of new trunk road between Derry and the Border at Aughnacloy and is a key upgrade to the road serving Dublin and Derry/Letterkenny.

Estimated to cost £650-£850 million (€758-€992 million) in total, the Irish Government is due to fund this and other road projects, principally the €126-€138 million Larne road, to the tune of £400 million (€466 million).

Irish Government investment in the £60 million ( €70 million) Satellite Radiotherapy Unit at Derry’s Altnagelvin area hospital, due to open in 2015, will also serve health needs in Donegal while the construction of a cross-Border bridge at Narrow Water linking counties Down and Louth is also planned.

For Mr Costello, the issue is uncomplicated – you cannot spend what you do not have no matter how desirable the project.

But for Mr McHugh there is a deeper significance, an argument that finds resonance across the board in Northern Ireland.

“This is a critical access project for the whole of the northwest and not just Donegal and it’s symbolic of the ambition to have joined up thinking in terms of an integrated transport strategy for North and South,” he says.

“That’s embedded in the Good Friday Agreement.”

Mr Costello’s remarks jangled nerves at the office of Sinn Féin regional development minister Conor Murphy.

He insists it’s too late for any stepping back by an Irish Government.

“Payments are being met,” he said. “This isn’t simply a project which is sitting there for someone to decide if it will happen or not. I think it would be a huge mistake and an abandonment of the people of the northwest if this project were to be reneged on by any government in Dublin,” he told the BBC.

The new Ulster Unionist leader, Tom Elliott, from Fermanagh, believes there could be a solution to the problem.

“I share the views of many of the people on both sides of the Border that the project could be scaled down to a more modest version ensuring good roads design and safety conditions are met, this could be achieved at a fraction of the cost.” But that is not a view widely shared.

SDLP Derry Assembly member Pól Callaghan said his party would meet its fraternal colleagues in the Irish Labour party and other parties to ensure the investment goes ahead as planned.

“Economic growth is the only credible way out of the current recession and stemming that growth by not completing the A5 would have disastrous consequences for the future economic recovery of the entire northwest of Ireland.”