Construction Ireland Construction Directory
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Share this page
Construction News
18/11/2011

'Roadblock' On Agenda For North-South Summit

NI's top political team are to again confront the leader of the Irish Republic over recent news that a multi-million pound cross border road project would have to be 'shelved' after the Dáil government performed a U-turn on funding.

First Minister Peter Robinson and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness are to use the pre-arranged international meeting to discuss the A5 'roadblock' with the Taoiseach.

The 54-mile long carriageway would have slashed travel times from Northern Ireland to the Irish Republic.

Joint financial support to dual the road at a cost of £850m was established as part of the St Andrew's Agreement in 2006 and construction was expected to start in 2012.

The Stormont Executive has already expressed its disappointment at the decision by the Irish Government to withdraw funding from the A5 road scheme for the next budget period.

The DUP Leader Peter Robinson and Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness were united on the issue after the news last week.

-- Advertisement --

The pair are again meeting the Taoiseach Enda Kenny after he travelled to Belfast on Thursday for a series of events and is now due in Armagh today.

They also had discussions with him on the issue at a Dublin meeting a week ago and now, the North South Ministerial Council will meet, hosted by the First Minister and Deputy First Ministers with the Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny attending the plenary session.

Funding for the A5 road between Londonderry and Aughnacloy will be one of the key topics of discussion after the Irish reduced its funding for the project from £400m to £42m.

Mr Kenny said on Thursday night that he knew his government's "deferral of our funding contribution" to the project had "come as a big disappointment to many in Northern Ireland".

"But I want to stress - it is deferral, not abandonment," he added.

"My government remains fully committed to delivery of this important project, even if it must now be on a slower timeline."

Official Trip North

The Taoiseach was in Belfast on Thursday for several engagements - first, a courtesy call on the Stormont First and Deputy First Ministers - and then a visit to community projects on the loyalist Newtownards Road and the nationalist Short Strand to see some of the work being done on the ground.

He also visited Belfast City Hall and met the Sinn Fein Lord Mayor.

The Taoiseach then attended the Aisling Awards ceremony and dinner at the Europa Hotel as the guest of honour where he delivered the keynote address and presented the Person of the Year Award to Geraldine Finucane - widow of the murdered solicitor, Pat.

Enda Kenny's then pledged to lobby US politicians to push PM David Cameron to change his mind on the issue of a full inquiry into the killing after he refused one and instead ordered a review of the case papers by a leading QC.

(BMcC)

Latest Construction News

15/11/2024

An emergency road closure has been announced following serious structural integrity concerns of the former Antrim Arms Hotel building on Castle Street in Ballycastle. Following genuine fears surrounding the safety of the building's structure, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council have ...
15/11/2024

A pre-design public consultation for the Dublin-based College Green - Dame Street Public Realm Project has been launched. The proposal to remodel College Green and Dame Street is a joint initiative by Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority. The project aims to transform Dublin's ...
15/11/2024

A new plan which aims to fill vacant homes and revitalise derelict buildings has been proposed by Ireland's Green Party. The Dereliction and Building Regeneration Bill put forward by the party aims to establish a single permitting system for fire, accessibility and planning in a one-stop-shop for ...
15/11/2024

Works will begin next week to provide a more reliable water supply in County Kildare, Uisce Éireann has announced. The improvements, which will take place in Allenwood, will also target the reduction of high levels of leakage. GMC Utilities Group are carrying out the works on behalf of Uisce ...
15/11/2024

Essential wastewater improvements being made to the North Street area in Carrickfergus are set to be completed on Friday, November 22, NI Water has announced. Further works will recommence to the area on January 6, after the busy Christmas period. The work is part of a major investment to improve ...
15/11/2024

A forthcoming road closure in Wicklow has been announced by the County Council ahead of essential roadworks which are suspected to last a week. The closure will impact the L-69052 road in Arklow and will take place on the junction of the L2901, Laffin's Lane and The Brook, from Monday, November ...
14/11/2024

A L'Derry park was visited by the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs yesterday following the completion of extensive works. Manor Park in Moneymore welcomed Minister Andrew Muir MLA, who made the trip to see the result of extensive works which totalled £260,000. The ...
14/11/2024

A Railway Order planning application will be made by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) regarding the major Luas Finglas project. The application will be submitted to An Bord Pleanála on Monday, November 18, while the public can make submissions about the proposed light rail line from November ...
14/11/2024

A new €8.8 million social housing scheme officially launched in County Louth recently. The Ferrard Park development in Drogheda contains 28 new houses which were acquired by Louth County Council from CFS Homes for tenants from the council's social housing waiting list. The houses, which include a ...
14/11/2024

A number of projects across Wicklow aimed at addressing the negative impacts of climate change have received a significant cash boost. Wicklow County Council and The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications announced an allocation of €675,574.33 to 20 community groups across the ...
OGrady Crane Hire & TransportEnviroform SolutionsSnickers WorkwearKwik Floor ScreedRTS Heating & CoolingMaccaferri LtdIreland T&T LtdAPA Facade Systems (UK) LtdBDRs LimitedAC Cable Solutions
Terms and Conditions
2024/11/16 06:23:07