A5 N2 Cross Border Committee Lobby Irish Minister

Members of the A5 N2 Cross Border Committee met with the Irish Minister for Transport, Environment, Climate and Communications on Monday 13 May 2024, Minister Eamon Ryan, to lobby for the delivery of improvements and upgrades to the A5 / N2 / TEN-T route from Dublin to the Northwest.

The delegation comprised of Councillors from Mid Ulster District Council (lead authority for the current year); Derry City and Strabane District Council; Donegal County Council; Fermanagh and Omagh District Council; and Monaghan County Council.

The formation of the A5/N2 Cross Border Committee, comprising membership from all five Councils, provides a platform from which lobbying and representation can be taken forward to ensure that completion of these essential infrastructure projects is realised within the given timeframe, for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Chair of the A5/N2 Cross Border Committee, Councillor Gael Gildernew who led the delegation to Leinster House, said, “We welcomed the opportunity to meet with Minister Ryan and discuss key issues affecting the Northwest corridor. There has been a significant increase in deaths on our roads over the last number of years both North and South of the border. The projects proposed along the A5, N2 and Donegal TEN-T will significantly improve the safety of all our citizens travelling to and from the Northwest. Our meeting with Minister Ryan sought to confirm his government’s commitment to delivering on projects in Louth, Monaghan and Donegal and to work with the Executive to deliver the much-needed A5 project in Counties Tyrone and Derry.”

Councillor Glenn Campbell represented Fermanagh and Omagh District Council as part of the delegation. The A5/N2 Western Transport Corridor is of strategic importance to the Omagh area and the wider sub-region and is a key, flagship project for the Council.

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Campbell said:

“I welcomed the opportunity to impress on Minister Ryan the need for the full delivery of the A5 Western Transport Corridor.  Irish Government support for the scheme, and connecting roads infrastructure in Donegal and Monaghan, is hugely important.

Minister Ryan understood the urgency and importance of this flagship project and was positive in response to the questions raised.

The A5 / N2 dual carriageway must be delivered without further delay.”

Once delivered, the proposed road improvements will deliver a consistent and high-quality upgrade of the northwest transport corridor to provide regional and cross-border connectivity, facilitate the sustainable development of the northwest region and support economic growth.