TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to provide €480 million in funding to upgrade roads in Northern Ireland.
Mr Cowen made his pledge at the 11th plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council which was held at the NSMC’s new offices in Armagh city yesterday.
Mr Cowen led a delegation of five Ministers to the meeting which included Green Minister Eamon Ryan. First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were accompanied by 11 Ministers from the Northern Executive, including two junior ministers. They represented all five parties in the Executive – the DUP, Sinn Féin, the Ulster Unionist Party, the SDLP and Alliance.
The NSMC addressed a wide range of issues including historical child abuse, the economy, tourism, setting up a new satellite radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin hospital in Derry, suicide prevention, reducing road deaths, research projects, illegal dumping, and animal health and welfare.
The issue of roads improvement recently triggered controversy when Dublin Labour TD Joe Costello warned that a new government involving Labour may not be able to afford helping finance road upgrades linking the Border with Donegal and improving access to Larne harbour in Co Antrim.
“The Irish Government remains fully committed to the A5 and A8 [roads] project,” said Mr Cowen. “We see this as a project of mutual benefit, opening up the northwest of the country for us. It involves a €480 million commitment and I am glad and proud to say that this Government, despite its difficulties, has not in any way compromised that commitment.”
DUP First Minister Mr Robinson said they discussed a wide range of matters of mutual interest. He said the meeting was very useful. “The inter-relationship of our two economies is something that is crucial for us,” he said.
Mr McGuinness said the Northern Executive would be able to learn from the experience in the Republic in its intention to establish an inquiry into child sexual abuse.
