The Good Friday Agreement Implementation Committee heard from representatives of Monaghan, Derry, Donegal, Dungannon and Omagh and Strabane Councils regarding the funding for the A5 Motorway connecting Monaghan to Donegal.

Speaking after the meeting Michelle Gildernew, MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, said: "Sinn Féin has supported this infrastructure project as an essential element in the economic renewal of the north west. Given the high levels of job losses across the Northwest, this road is essential in connecting the region with the rest of Ireland.

"At the Executive in the North, we have supported the continued development of the road and set aside over €400 million to develop sections of the road. The decision of the Irish Government to cut its share of the funding will further delay the project and lead to a disjointed road network. Labour and Fine Gael could find the funds to bail out banks and developers but not to support this project.

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"The people along the border were promised this road, the Executive has honoured its side of the agreement, it is now time for the Irish Government to review its decisions and reinstate the funding for this road."

Sean Crowe TD said: "The Government agreed this in St. Andrews. It remained a key project in government budgets until Fine Gael and Labour came to power. This project was designed to spur economic development, create jobs, open access to public services and promote road safety.

"Sinn Féin is clear that this project is required to tackle the jobs crisis, to join up public services and enhance trade. It is clear that as a signatory and guarantor of the agreements, the Irish Government needs to retain the moral authority, that an agreement made is an agreement honoured."

(CD)