Debate contribution: Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland
Debate contribution by Miss Nicola Brogan on .
- MLA
- Miss Nicola Brogan
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 14 October 2025
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Opposition Business
- Heading
- Investment Strategy for Northern Ireland
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5180562
Read the official Assembly record
Text
While we all wish that progress was faster, the fact is that most of the projects outlined in the motion are moving forward. It would be lovely if we could simply snap our fingers and produce major infrastructure developments out of thin air, but the reality is that projects of that scale and importance require careful planning, detailed scrutiny and significant funding. That is proper, responsible governance, and while it can, at times, be frustrating, the fact is that Sinn Féin Ministers are delivering on their promises.
Minister Kimmins and her predecessor, Minister O'Dowd, have fought tooth and nail for the progression of the A5 road upgrade. As a representative of West Tyrone and someone who uses the road daily, I appreciate the Minister's commitment to that vital project. The proposer of the motion knows that the reason for the delay to the A5 is continued legal challenges and objections by a minority. Quite frankly, political point-scoring on such an important issue is dangerous. We should all agree that no price can be placed on saving lives. Minister Kimmins has engaged extensively with local communities and has addressed every reasonable concern that objectors have raised. The Minister has also lodged an appeal to the court judgement on the development of the A5. The appeal has been supported by the AERA Minister and is due to be heard this December. I have said this before and will say it again: we need to continue to work together to ensure that the A5 is delivered. It is far too important for the families and communities that have lost loved ones on the road, and it is too important for all of us who use the road and understand the dangers of it, not to work together to see it upgraded. The all-island rail review, by its very nature, requires agreement and planning, North and South, at every step, but it continues to meet milestones. The European Investment Bank has been working with Minister Kimmins and the Dublin Government on a prioritisation strategy, and the Minister has announced that a progress report will be published in the autumn. Despite an extremely tight budget that continues to be stripped to the bone by consecutive British Governments, investment in waste water infrastructure is continuing. NI Water is getting 90% of the capital money that it could spend this year, which is an increase from last year. Meanwhile, as mentioned yesterday, the Water, Sustainable Drainage and Flood Management Bill continues to progress. It is an important aspect of the Minister's three-pronged approach to addressing issues around waste water infrastructure and how we will live with water in the future. It will integrate innovative and sustainable drainage solutions in housing developments and provide grants for measures to protect domestic buildings from flooding. That is not to say that improvements cannot be made. Of course they can. Just yesterday, as mentioned, the House heard of over 20 pieces of legislation that the Executive intend to introduce and progress in the 2025-26 session. For projects that continue to face inexcusable delays, such as Casement Park and the investment strategy, it is for those Ministers and those parties to explain why they are being delayed. Sinn Féin Ministers have their heads down, doing the work and delivering for families and communities right across the North.
555 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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