NORTHERN IRELAND Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has condemned the Labour Party’s warning that funding from the Republic for the construction of a dual-carriageway from Derry to Tyrone may have to be reviewed.
Labour TD Joe Costello said the party, if it is in power after the next general election, will have to look at all major infrastructure projects, including the plan to upgrade the A5 road from Derry to Aughnacloy.
“I am not saying we will abandon the project, but it will have to be reviewed very carefully considering the financial straits we are in,” he said.
Mr McGuinness, speaking after a meeting of the British-Irish Council, said he had “to record my concern that some individuals in Dublin, not the present Government, are raising questions” about the Republic’s contribution.
The Government has offered £400 million (€487 million) to upgrade the 88km stretch of the A5 from the Border near Aughnacloy, via Omagh and Strabane to Derry, along with the A8 between Newtownabbey and Larne.
“For people to be raising questions around whether or not those projects . . . will go ahead is something that is of serious concern,” said Mr McGuinness.
“I would advise those – one party in particular who have raised this – to recognise that these are vitally important projects for all of the people of the island of Ireland.
“We all understand that the economic fortunes of our people are all inter-linked. It will bring huge benefits to the people,” he said, adding that Inter-Trade Ireland has shown that there is “phenomenal” cross-Border trade going on.
“There is more trade between the North and the Republic than there is with the rest of the EU. We need to continue to encourage people to work in joined-up ways at a time of great economic hardship. Working together can alleviate some of those difficulties.”
The discussions at the British-Irish Council, which includes Ireland, Northern Ireland, the British government, the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales, along with the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey, were dominated by economic matters.
Saying that everyone had had “a very good opportunity to compare notes”, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said all the jurisdictions were facing challenges as they tried to repair public finances while stimulating growth.
UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said all of the governments represented faced particular challenges politically and economically. “I think that there was a widespread recognition that economic growth on a sustainable basis is not possible unless you first set out a clear plan on how you are going to restore stability to our . . . finances,” he said.
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said the Executive is in the final stages of agreeing a budget against a backdrop of significant cuts, particularly on capital spending as a result of cuts imposed by London.
“We are looking at ways of generating further income. We believe that we can meet those challenges, particularly in areas where we can add to and augment the block grant,” he said.
