Northern Ireland's Regional Development Committee has referred Transport Minister Danny Kennedy to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) after he refused to carry out a Project Assessment Review (PAR) over the Derry railway upgrade.

Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Ó hOisín welcomed the news and said: "The committee requested a Public Assessment Review into why the valuation of the Derry-Coleraine railway line upgrade came in twice the cost as originally forecast.

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"The minister has so far refused to hold a PAR and the committee has agreed to refer him to the PPS in order to force him to live up to his responsibilities.

"The upgrade of the Derry Coleraine line is an important stage in the improvement of the infrastructure of the North West and therefore must go ahead."

SDLP MLA and Member of the Committee for Regional Development, John Dallat, criticised Minister Danny Kennedy, and said he has long lamented the lack of funds available for infrastructure development and maintenance.

Mr Dallat said: "By failing to fulfil his commitments he has left us with no choice but to incur extra legal costs to DRD which is already under great financial pressure.

"The Minister must deliver a copy of the review immediately and end such an unnecessary and wasteful demonstration of intransigence."

(CD/IT)