The Tánaiste’s positive words on a Derry to Dublin air link and the A5 must be backed up by action- Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD
Donegal Sinn Féin TD, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has called on the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin to back up his positive words in the Dáil last Thursday on reinstating the Derry to Dublin air link and the upgrade of the A5 with concrete action.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said:
“I welcome the Tánaiste’s words, but we need more than just words in Donegal and the Northwest of Ireland. When you look at the map of transport links on the island of Ireland, be it roads, rail or air, the sheer neglect of this region and our people is palpable.
In the 2006 St Andrews Agreement, at Sinn Féin’s behest, the Irish government committed to co-fund the huge A5 upgrade project linking Donegal, Derry and West Tyrone to Dublin. That key financial commitment has been substantially watered down over the years.
There is now a renewed energy and determination and a grass roots campaign to get the A5 upgrade up and running at last and I am calling on the Irish government to honour the pledge it made back in 2006 and to recommit to equally co-fund this vital project along with the British government and the Stormont Executive”.
He continued:
“It is now over a decade since the Irish government removed funding for the Derry to Dublin air link. Sinn Féin has repeatedly called on government after government since to reinstate the funding for this important service to reflect the fact that 40% of the passengers using the City of Derry Airport every year, are from Donegal.
But also, to boost tourism and job creation in our region with flights able to connect from around the world into Dublin airport and on to Derry Airport and vice versa. Micheál Martin’s words in the Dáil on Thursday were encouraging but we need action. The Tánaiste must now end the prevarication and ensure that the Derry to Dublin air link is reinstated as soon as possible and funded by his government”.
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)