Debate contribution: A5 Western Transport Corridor: High Court Ruling
Debate contribution by Ms Liz Kimmins on .
- MLA
- Ms Liz Kimmins
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 24 June 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Question for Urgent Oral Answer
- Heading
- A5 Western Transport Corridor: High Court Ruling
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5046995
Read the official Assembly record
Text
I will start by repeating my extreme disappointment in the decision that we received yesterday. It was a hugely disappointing day not just for me but, in the first instance, all the families and the Enough is Enough campaign, who have been extremely diligent and steadfast in their commitment to ensuring that the road is built. My first thoughts are with all those who have tragically lost loved ones on the road and those who are living with injuries as a result of collisions along the road. It was a very detailed judgement, so it is important that we take time to carefully consider it in full, including any implications for the scheme and the Department's next steps. As I said, it is extremely detailed, and it was the first legal test for the Climate Change Act
and the climate action plan (CAP), the outworkings of which every Department will have to deal with. Sorry, Mr Speaker, this is so disrespectful.
Given the context, Members should be respectful. I am determined to engage and we will continue to engage constructively with all stakeholders, including those who have raised concerns, to ensure that we find a way forward. It is deeply regrettable that we have received the decision, as we continue to see so many lives lost on the road, deaths that cause so much pain to families and tear our communities apart. It is, undoubtedly, the most dangerous road in Ireland. My priority remains the safety and well-being of all road users. I am determined that we will deliver the A5. Building the road will save lives, create jobs and significantly reduce journey times between the north-west and Dublin. The judge said:
"a new and safer A5 dual carriageway"
should be built so that:
"the long list of names of those who have perished on that road will not be added to".
In the context of the history of the scheme, that is significant. Despite the setback, I am determined to find a way forward that sees the road built to ensure that we save lives. Every day of delay risks more avoidable heartbreak. As Infrastructure Minister, I am determined to ensure that a new A5 is delivered.
Across the world, people are taking action on climate change and our responsibilities to deal with it. In the context of what we are talking about, it is important to remember the families that are impacted by the decision. This is not a time for point-scoring; it is a time for looking for solutions. That is what I am committed to doing, and that is what I am determined to do.
439 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.04 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- Assessed as legitimate policy scrutiny (0.84).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.03 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.02 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.02 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.03 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.05 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.84 | Yes |
| Overall judgement | 0.04 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-related subject | 0.98 |
| Legacy of the Troubles, victims and paramilitarism | 0.02 |
| Flags, emblems, symbols, names and memorials | 0.00 |
| Parades, bonfires and commemorations | 0.00 |
| Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy | 0.00 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:53 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
Disagree with this assessment?
Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.