£330m A5 Upgrade 'Strengthens North-South Relationship'

Fine Gael have welcomed the multi million euro investment in Donegal's A5, saying it will strengthen relations between the North and South.

Fine Gael TD for Donegal North East, Joe McHugh, made the comment as he welcomed the announcement that £330m will be spent over the next four years on upgrading sections of the A5 from Newbuildings to Strabane, and from Omagh to Ballygawley.

The Irish Government is contributing £50 million to this project.

“Today’s announcement shows how far North-South relations have come over the last few years," Mr McHugh said. "Not only will the upgrade of the A5 greatly enhance access to Donegal, this announcement also demonstrates the commitment of the Northern Ireland Executive to strengthening the North-South relationship."

Mr McHugh added that the North-South political process was about "calmness, consensus and building trust", and that for the Northern Ireland Executive, which will channel the majority of the funding for this project over the next four years, it was a massive "leap of faith".

"Restoration of our economic sovereignty will put the Irish Government in a strong position to deliver the final stretches of this road – from Omagh to Strabane, and from Lifford to Letterkenny. I will continue to work with colleagues in Government and with political colleagues in Northern Ireland, to ensure that progress is made.”

(DW)