The N2-A5 road project is an essential piece of infrastructure not only for County Monaghan but for the entire central Border region and the north-west region. It has been long promised and has been included in several national development plans. It has been part of a series of engagements in peace process negotiations. Unfortunately, funding for the next phase of the project has been removed and placed in the pet projects of the Minister, Deputy Ryan. This region has no public transport infrastructure. There are no active transport options. I want the assurance of the Minister for Finance that he and his colleagues in Cabinet will ensure the decision to withdraw funding for the next phase of this project is reversed and that the project is able to proceed as quickly as possible.

I am not aware of the Government's commitment to the A5 project being in any way diminished or changed. I will of course follow up on any development that may have prompted the Deputy's question. I am aware as a former Minister with responsibility for transport of the particular status of the road and how important it is to the communities the Deputy has referred to. I am sure some of the Deputy's colleagues are probably lambasting the Minister, Deputy Ryan, for not delivering the so-called "pet projects" more quickly. We will certainly follow up on where we are with the A5. The Government is well aware of the importance of that road.