Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon to make announcement on flagship A5 Derry to Dublin road project within weeks

Roads minister Nichola Mallon said her department have been considering the Inspector’s Report into a fresh Public Inquiry into the huge Dublin Road project that was conducted last year.

Officials have also been taking legal advice, Ms. Mallon confirmed after being asked about the massive infrastructure project by West Tyrone MLA Maoilíosa McHugh.

Ms. Mallon said she would be making a public statement on the scheme within weeks.

“The project has been subject to three separate legal challenges since its inception in 2007, the most recent being in December 2017 when a new decision to proceed with a scheme, made in the absence of a Minister, was challenged, leading to the quashing of the statutory orders in November 2018.

“Since then, my Department has been progressing the necessary work to enable a fresh decision to be made. In spring 2019, an addendum to the environmental statement of 2016, together with other environmental reports, was published for consultation.

“Following a public inquiry held during February and March of 2020, my Department received an interim report from the inspector in the latter part of last year. My officials have considered the issues raised and recommendations made in that report and have taken legal advice.

“I have been considering the advice from officials and the legal advice, and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement for the next steps in this flagship project in the coming weeks.

“I assure the Member of my continued commitment to the scheme.”