A Sinn Fein MP has urged the Irish Government to ensure there are no further delays to the A5 road upgrade.

The £150 million scheme aims to create a new stretch of road spanning 85km, running from New Buildings, via Strabane, Newtownstewart, Omagh and Ballygawley and terminating in the border area of Aughnacloy.

The project was stalled recently after the government redirected €27 million of its funding to help plug the overspend on the National Children's Hospital.

West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley said the onset of Brexit makes it "vital" that all cross-border projects are funded to protect border communities.

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She said in a statement on Thursday 21 February: "The A5 upgrade project is a vital all-Ireland project and I raised it directly with An Tanaiste Simon Coveney in the Oireachtas today. I called on him to give reassurances that Irish government funding for the project will be forthcoming as soon as and when necessary. 

"This is a vital project not only to improve connectivity and to assist the economic regeneration of areas along the route, but also to improve road safety and reduce the number of road tragedies. Delays could cost lives on this road so this project needs to begin as a matter of urgency."

Ms Begley welcomed the Tanaiste's response that the Irish government is committed to the project and will make funding available without delays when the project gets underway. 

She concluded: "I will continue to engage with the Tanaiste and the Irish government to ensure that funding committed is put in place so we can see work get underway on this vital infrastructure project."

(JG)