Sinn Féin has hit out at the government after it failed to restore the money for the A5 L'Derry to Dublin road project in Budget 2018.

MP Elisha McCallion has called on An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to restore the Irish Government's full £400m commitment towards the project.

She said: "I believe the budget was a missed opportunity to restore Dublin's financial commitment to this project.

-- Advertisement --

"However, with the Taoiseach due in Derry this week, I am sure the A5 will feature heavily in all of his engagements and his visit would be the ideal opportunity to make a positive intervention on the A5.

"I will certainly be calling on him to restore the full £400 million, which was originally committed.

"While we recognise and welcome the fact that the Irish government pledged £75 million as part of the Fresh Start Agreement, what people in the North West really need to see is the full commitment restored.

"This is a key infrastructure project that would open up the entire north-west region and bring benefits on an all-island basis so there is a responsibility on both Belfast and Dublin Government to ensure it is fully resourced."

(CD)