N2 Clontibret to Border funding
Deputy Carthy asks the Taoiseach to ensure funding is restored for the N2 section from Clontibret to the Border after it was removed this year. The Taoiseach says the project is stuck in planning, especially on the Northern side, and he will follow up on the matter.
The Taoiseach will be aware that the A5-N2 road artery has been raised on numerous occasions in all-Ireland discussions and has been included in several national development plans and other projects. This year, however, all funding for the section of the N2 from Clontibret to the Border was removed and works stalled. I ask the Taoiseach to assure the House that he will use his position to assure the people of the north-west and central Border regions, including my county of Monaghan, that funding will be allocated to the project in 2023.
Comment on this
On the issue raised by Deputy MacSharry, the Building Momentum pay agreement will certainly be allocated to defence staff, and the broader Commission on the Defence Forces report is about making sure that we both retain staff and attract new recruits in, over and above the number of people who may leave. That will be tangible. There have been changes to some of the allowances in respect of the Naval Service and so on that have improved the situation somewhat. It remains a work in progress but Building Momentum will certainly improve the situation. There is also the recruitment of a head of transformation and a head of strategic human resources at senior management level, which is crucial and a significant culture change. The budget also includes changes in respect of allocations to meet pay and allowance enhancements recommended by the commission. These will be tangible measures that will make a difference.
In terms of the point raised by Deputy O'Donnell, I will speak to the Minister regarding Part V.
As regards the issue raised by Deputy Carthy, the Government has allocated in the national development plan funding for the A5. I am repeatedly told it is-----
Comment on this
I asked about the section of the N2 from Clontibret to the Border.
Comment on this
I know that, but I am repeatedly told that the entire project is stuck in planning, more on the Northern side than in the Republic.
Comment on this
The road funding for the N2 from Clontibret to the Border was pulled this year.
