€800M FUNDING FOR THE NORTH
Major investment to help all-island economy thrive
THE Government has unveiled an €800million funding package for projects benefitting the North.
It includes €600million towards the proposed upgrade of the A5 road. Campaigners have been calling for the work for many years due to the high number of fatal collision.
The road links Derry with Aughnacloy in Co Tyrone, near the border.
The package also has €50million to develop Casement Park GAA stadium in West Belfast – a venue earmarked to host Euro 2028 matches.
The Government has also restated its commitment to build the Narrow Water Bridge connecting the Cooley Peninsula in Co Louth to the Mourne Mountains in Co Down.
It will include the completion of the scenic Carlingford Greenway active travel route.
Cash released through the Shared Island Fund includes €12.5million to increase the frequency of the Belfast/ Dublin rail link to hourly services.
The package was approved by the cabinet yesterday morning, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan formally announcing details at Government Buildings.
Mr Varadkar said the return of powersharing had brought “renewed hope” for what can be achieved through the Good Friday Agreement.
He added: “It shows our commitment to working with the new Executive,
It shows our commitment to make the island of Ireland a better place for everyone LEO VARADKAR
DUBLIN YESTERDAY
and with the UK Government, to make the island of Ireland a better place for everyone who calls it home.
“Construction of the new A5 could start later this year, which will bring road connectivity to the north-west on a par with other parts of the island.
“The redevelopment of Casement Park will help maximise the benefit for Northern Ireland of hosting games in the Uefa Euro 2028 championship, which is a major east-west project.
“We also agreed a major regeneration of the Battle of the Boyne site, including an allocation of €10million from the Shared Island Fund.
“Investment in an hourly service on the Enterprise will greatly assist the development of business and personto-person links between Dublin and Belfast and the towns on the way.
“This funding is about all-island investment, boosting the all-island economy and improving connections North and South, benefiting both jurisdictions and all communities.”
Tanaiste Mr Martin said: “The funding commitments mean strategically important projects such as the A5 north-west road corridor, and the Narrow Water Bridge, a powerful symbol and physical connection between north and south, can move forward. When I established the Shared
Island initiative, I was clear that for it to be successful it needed to be a whole-of-government priority.
“I am excited about the future of the initiative.” A scheme to turn the A5 into a dual carriageway was approved in 2007 but has been held up by legal proceedings from an opposition group.
Niall Mckenna, left, chairman of the A5 Enough is Enough campaign group, said the renewed funding pledge from Dublin was “good news”.
He added: “We were always confident that the Irish Government’s financial commitment would be reinstated.
“In terms of the cost of the scheme, of course it will be more expensive to deliver the scheme now than when it should have been delivered in 2007, but the cost of not going ahead is more death and more tragedy.”
Transport Minister Mr Ryan said: “If we are to address climate challenges we are better to work on an all-island basis.
CONNECTIVITY
“Funding for an hourly-frequency rail service between the two largest cities on the island is in keeping with the all-island strategic rail review.
“For anyone who knows the difference it made on the Cork-dublin rail service, doing the same in Belfast, is really going to improve and strengthen connectivity.
“We’ve a lot more work to do. We are only scratching at the surface. I’m absolutely convinced a shared island approach on energy, on transport and environment is one way of really deepening connections on our island.
North Belfast Sinn Fein MP John Finucane welcomed the announcement, as “fantastic news”.
He said: “This will create greater access for jobs and opportunities, help to tackle the climate emergency and will provide a boost to the thriving all-island economy.
“We must continue to invest in our rail network and improve connectivity across the island.”
The North’s Department for Infrastructure and Translink have been asked if the hourly services will also be rolled out from Belfast to Dublin.