Unprecedented funding of over €800 million for Shared Island investment priorities including A5 road
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Minister Eamon Ryan have announced new government funding commitments of over €800 million for Shared Island projects including the long-awaited upgrading of the A5 road link to the north west.
The government today committed €600 million to the A5 North-West transport corridor, and is advancing work on linked road projects including the N2 Clontibret and Donegal TEN-T upgrades in 2024.
The government also agreed to channel funding through the Shared Island Fund to a host of other projects, including:
Making today’s announcements, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said:
“The return of the power-sharing Executive is hugely important for the people of Northern Ireland and has brought renewed hope for what can be achieved through the Good Friday Agreement. The funding announced today shows our commitment to working with the new Executive, and with the UK Government, to make the island of Ireland a better place for everyone who calls it home.
“At approximately €1 billion, it is the largest ever package of government funding for cross-border investments. Construction of the new A5 could start later this year which will bring road connectivity to the North-West on a par with other parts of the island. The redevelopment of Casement Park stadium in Belfast will help maximise the benefit for Northern Ireland of hosting games in the UEFA EURO2028 championship which is a major East-West project. We also agreed today a major regeneration of the Battle of the Boyne site, including an allocation of €10 million from the Shared Island Fund. Investment in an hourly service on the Enterprise will greatly assist the development of business and person to person links between Dublin and Belfast as well as all the towns on the way.
“This funding is about all-island investment, boosting the all-island economy and improving connections North and South, benefiting both jurisdictions and all communities. It is about understanding that, whatever the constitutional future of Ireland brings, investing in people, in quality of life, in opportunity, and for the generations to come, are all of our responsibilities and a common good we can best progress by working together.”
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said:
“Today marks an important moment, and I believe, the beginning of a new and positive chapter in cross border cooperation.
“The funding commitments by the government mean strategically important and iconic projects such as the A5 North-West road corridor, and the Narrow Water Bridge, a powerful symbol and physical connection between North and South, can move forward with real ambition.
“Our funding commitments will contribute to a better-connected island, by road – through the A5 and the connecting N2 and TEN-T schemes – and by rail, with the introduction of an hourly-frequency service between Dublin and Belfast.
“The construction of the landmark Narrow Water Bridge will provide a lynchpin for connectivity and sustainable tourism in the Carlingford Lough region.
“With the major contribution to the redevelopment of Casement Park, a new Shared Island education programme, and a Shared Island Enterprise Scheme, the government looks forward to working with the new Executive and the UK Government on maximising the impact of our investment to benefit people across the island.
“When I established the Shared Island Initiative in the Department of the Taoiseach in 2020, I was clear that for it to be successful, it needed to be a whole-of-government priority.
"As ministerial colleagues reach out to and begin visits with their Northern colleagues, I am excited about the future of the initiative.”
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said:
“With today’s funding allocations, the government is taking a step forward with our Shared Island investment objectives and meeting commitments under the New Decade, New Approach agreements. It is a clear signal that if we are to address climate challenges we are better to work on an all-island basis. New funding for an hourly-frequency rail service between the two largest cities on the island will significantly improve public transport connectivity along the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor and is in keeping with the vision of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review.
“The government is also providing funding to complete the Carlingford Greenway, a flagship cross-border active travel project. Other Shared Island programmes on Community Climate Action and Electric Vehicle charging point installation will get confirmation of grant awards in the coming months.
“We will work to progress other collaborative investment with the new Executive, including further investment in sustainable transport and the green energy transition, so that together we provide for a sustainable future across the island of Ireland.”
The funding for the A5 and the Narrow Water Bridge projects delivers on a long-standing commitment by the Irish Government.
The government has already allocated almost €250 million from the Shared Island Fund, including €44.5 million for construction of a new teaching building at Ulster University in Derry and €47 million to move forward with the Ulster Canal restoration.
The Government of Ireland will work with the Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government to deliver these projects over the next few years. Work is already underway on several other projects under Shared Island.
A5 North-West transport corridor and progressing the related N2 Clontibret and TEN-T upgrade in Donegal - €600 million:
Contribution to the construction of a redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast as part of joint hosting by Ireland and the UK of the UEFA EURO2028 tournament - €50 million:
Introduction of an hourly-frequency rail service between Belfast and Dublin - €12.5 million:
Construction of the Narrow Water Bridge:
Louth County Council will proceed with the final steps in the procurement process and expect to award the contract to the successful bidder in H1 2024. Delivery of the project will be overseen by a Project Board, chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Major investment in a renewed visitor experience of the Battle of the Boyne site - €10 million:
- ensuring overall conservation and protection of the site
- consideration of potential for deepening North-South community interaction and advancing reconciliation
- contributing to the tourism and economic agenda for Meath and south Louth
Shared Island enterprise scheme - up to €30 million:
Pilot cooperation on educational attainment - up to €24 million:
Completion of the cross-border Carlingford Greenway - €1.5 million:
UNESCO World Heritage status for transboundary sites:
Shared Island initiative:
This involves:
- unprecedented cooperative all-island investment, through the Shared Island Fund
- engaging with all communities on how practically we share the island into the future, through the Shared Island dialogue series; and
- providing a stronger evidence base and analysis of the whole island, through a programme of published research