Unprecedented funding of over €800 million for Shared Island investment priorities including A5 road

• €600 million committed for A5 North-West transport corridor - work advancing on related N2 and TEN-T upgrades in Monaghan and Donegal
• construction of Narrow Water Bridge linking Mourne Mountains with Cooley Peninsula, completing Carlingford greenway
• new hourly rail service between Dublin and Belfast
• contribution to Casement Park stadium in Belfast to host matches as part of joint hosting by Ireland & UK of UEFA EURO2028
• investment in renewed visitor experience at Battle of the Boyne site
• new cross-border cooperation schemes on female entrepreneurship in enterprise and tackling underprivilege in education

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:

• to build the landmark Narrow Water Bridge connecting the Cooley Peninsula in Louth to the Mourne Mountains in Down, and complete the scenic Carlingford Greenway, boosting tourism and transport links in the east border region
• €50 million to a redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast, creating a high-quality sports stadium which can also host matches as part of the Euro2028 tournament
• €12.5 million for a new hourly-frequency rail service between Belfast and Dublin
• investing €10 million in a renewed visitor experience at the Battle of the Boyne site due to reflect its unique historic significance to communities North and South
• working with the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland on how the heritage and tourism value of its three sites at Dunsink, Armagh, and Birr can be harnessed
• developing pilot cooperation schemes by enterprise agencies (up to €30 million) and on education (up to €24 million)

Making today’s announcements, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said:

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said:

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said:

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:

• the government has since the St. Andrew’s Agreement in 2006 affirmed a funding commitment to the A5 North-West transport corridor, to provide a connection for and to the North-West of the island. The specified funding commitment has varied over subsequent years and the project remained at planning stage in Northern Ireland
• the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland has recently confirmed that A5 scheme has received a final public inquiry report from the Planning Appeals Commission. Subject to the successful completion of the statutory processes and securing of funding, a decision to proceed could be taken for construction to commence before the end of 2024
• given the significance of the A5 scheme – and of the related Donegal TEN-T and N2 Clontibret upgrades – for the North-West region and for cross-border connectivity on the island; and the scope for the project to proceed in Northern Ireland, the government has agreed an commitment to the A5 road upgrade project of up to €600 million towards its costs along with progressing of planning and design work on the related N2 Clontibret and Donegal TEN-T schemes
• confirmation of the government’s funding commitment is intended to support the project in proceeding as soon as possible, alongside confirmation of funding from other sources by the Department for Infrastructure (NI)

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:

• the government has committed €50 million through the Shared Island Fund to contribute to construction of a redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast as a landmark sports infrastructure project and to host games as part of the EURO2028 tournament
• Ireland will jointly host the UEFA EURO2028 Championship with the UK and this presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase the UK and Ireland and our world-class tourism and sports offering to Europe and the wider world. The inclusion of Casement Park as part of the joint Ireland-UK winning bid to host the UEFA EURO2028 championship has the support of the five football associations and all partners, including both governments
• the redevelopment project is owned and managed by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Ulster Council in cooperation with the Northern Ireland authorities, who are working to bring together an overall funding package to deliver the redeveloped stadium
• the government’s funding contribution will be agreed by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media with the GAA and progressed in cooperation with NI and UK counterparts
• consistent with the government’s policy on funding for large scale sports infrastructure, principles for funding of the project will be agreed such that it is accessible to and will benefit a range of sports, is operated to facilitate equality, diversity and inclusion in sport, including supporting cross-community relationships in Northern Ireland and across the island

Introduction of an hourly-frequency rail service between Belfast and Dublin - €12.5 million:

• introduction of an hourly-frequency rail service on the Dublin-Belfast line is an agreed priority for both Administrations. An hourly service will double current frequency and significantly enhance sustainable transport connectivity between the two largest cities on the island and be a catalyst for economic and social connections throughout the Dublin Belfast economic corridor region and across the island
• €12.5 million is being allocated from the Shared Island Fund, with match funding from the Department of Transport, to meet the total cost of introducing of an hourly-frequency rail service between Belfast and Dublin over an initial three-year period
• the additional resourcing will allow for increased capacity for Iarnród Éireann and Translink NI with their respective fleet networks. The increased service will be introduced progressively with an hourly-frequency service expected to be fully in place by Q1 2025
• the increased service frequency is aligned with the objective under the revised National Development Plan, with the provision under the PEACEPLUS programme for investment in new sustainable rolling stock on the Dublin-Belfast line, and with recommendations of the draft All-Island Strategic Rail Review

Construction of the Narrow Water Bridge:

• the Narrow Water Bridge will link the Mourne Mountains and Cooley peninsula, providing huge tourism and connectivity boosts in the east border region, and acting as an enabler for improved cross-border active travel and recreation activities including the development of greenways, walking trails and park amenities. The bridge is a longstanding commitment of the government reflected in the Programme for Government and the 2020 New Decade New Approach Agreement
• planning permission is in place for a distinctive 280m cable-stayed bridge, anchored by two towers at either end, with segregated car, cycle and pedestrian lanes. The bridge will connect the A2 Newry to Warrenpoint dual carriageway with the R173 Omeath and open to allow for passage of boats through and on to the Newry Canal
• a tender process for the main construction works contract for the project was conducted by Louth County Council in 2023, in accordance with the Public Spending Code, overseen by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in consultation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland

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:

• the government has confirmed a major investment in the development a renewed visitor experience for the Battle of the Boyne site as a priority to raise the heritage and tourism profile of the site which has unique historic and community significance on the island. A commitment of €10 million from the Shared Island Fund has been made as part of the overall funding package for the project, once finalised. This work will be taken forward by the Office of Public Works (OPW) based on a Conservation Management Plan for the site and in consultation with communities North and South
• Oldbridge Estate was purchased by the State in 2000, due to its national significance as the site of the historic Battle of the Boyne. Following extensive renovation and development, the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, located in Oldbridge House, opened to the public in summer 2008
• in 2022, an updated Conservation Management Plan was commissioned by OPW, and is now completed. This plan aims to present and sensitively interpret the Battle of the Boyne site. The future development of the site will be guided by the Plan, including:

- 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

• in 2022, the Estate welcomed close to 500,000 visitors, and the Visitor Centre in the house welcomed some 40,000 visitors to the exhibition. The OPW will lead work to expand the offering for visitors to the Estate even further in the coming years

Shared Island enterprise scheme - up to €30 million:

• InterTradeIreland, Enterprise Ireland and Invest Northern Ireland, in consultation with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, will develop a scheme for cooperation by the agencies on a collaborative cross-border basis and consistent with each agency’s remit
• the government has made an allocation in principle of up to €30 million for development of a scheme to focus on promoting female entrepreneurship; cross-border networks and clusters; and sustainability and innovation investment
• the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in consultation with the Department for the Economy (NI) will oversee the further development of the scheme, and subject to Ministerial agreement in both Administrations, will commence in late 2024

Pilot cooperation on educational attainment - up to €24 million:

• as part of existing cooperation, the Department of Education and Department of Education in Northern Ireland will work to develop and introduce a pilot cooperation programme on educational underachievement
• the government has made an allocation in principle of up to €24 million for a pilot cooperation programme in 2024 and 2025 to comprise elements on teachers’ research exchange, creativity in schools, and supports to address educational underachievement
• the cooperation programme will be further developed by the Departments of Education in Ireland and Northern Ireland and commence, subject to Ministerial agreement in both Administrations. If agreed, the programme will be continued in 2026 and 2027 with additional resourcing through the Shared Island Fund

Completion of the cross-border Carlingford Greenway - €1.5 million:

• the Shared Island Fund will provide a €1.5 million contribution to enable the completion of an outstanding element of the cross-border Carlingford Greenway, a 1.6km boardwalk structure outside Newry. Funding is also being provided by the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland and other sections of the Greenway are supported under the INTERREG VA programme
• the project is overseen by the Department of Transport, working with Louth County Council and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in consultation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland
• this project aligns with the objective under the National Development Plan to create an island-wide border region greenway network from the Atlantic coast to the Eastern seaboard, and the Department of Transport are actively exploring potential approaches to link existing border-region greenway routes to develop a transformational green infrastructure asset for residents and to grow sustainable tourism

UNESCO World Heritage status for transboundary sites:

• the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (National Monuments Service) is working with the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland (AOI) - a partnership of Dunsink Observatory, the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, and Birr Scientific and Heritage Foundation - to support a UNESCO World Heritage status bid as a transboundary property and feasibility work on how to harness the unique, connected scientific and built heritage value of the three sites in the years ahead
• the National Monuments Service is also continuing to support the trans-boundary World Heritage Property bid of The Royal Sites of Ireland (including Eamhain Macha/Navan Fort in Armagh) which was included on Ireland’s World Heritage Tentative List in 2021

Shared Island initiative:

• the Taoiseach delivered the keynote address at the 3rd annual Shared Island Forum event in Dublin Castle on 8 February, setting out the government’s priorities for the initiative in 2024. Read the Taoiseach’s address
• as provided for in the Programme for Government, through the Shared Island initiative, the government is engaging with all communities to build consensus around a shared future and delivering benefits for the whole island, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement

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

• the initiative is taken forward on a whole of government basis, coordinated through the Shared Island unit in the Department of the Taoiseach. Further information on the Shared Island Initiative, including the 2023 report ‘Action on a Shared Future’ and detail on previous allocations from the Shared Island Fund, is available at www.gov.ie/sharedisland