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The Member will appreciate that those projects are all at different stages. Until we got the A5 ruling last year, we were going through the process of moving ahead with all of them. We are under no illusion that doing that will be challenging. It is, however, my intention that we pick up from where we left off at the…
I thank the Minister for her very welcome statement. As others have said, this is a good day. We have, however, had good days before. I hope, particularly for those families who have lost loved ones, that there are no further twists in the road. Minister, you have said that, in effect, today's ruling gives the green…
The Member may also be aware that a number of options were put on the table at that time through engagement with officials, so it will depend on which option the landowner chose. We will certainly work through those issues with landowners in the coming days and weeks, because I appreciate that it is not a…
Thank you for your statement, Minister. You will not be surprised to know that I was going to ask you about the A1. On a slightly different note, however, after the McAlinden ruling, I understand that property owners spent money on reinstating fences and making good land that had been taken over by contractors. Will…
As I said, we have planned for all scenarios and for what our next steps may or may not be. My understanding is that that will happen imminently. We are still considering the full detail of the judgement. As soon as we know the actual date, we will relay that to the landowners to ensure that there is no ambiguity and…
Minister, nobody in the Chamber has ever argued against the fact that the road is needed for the safety aspects, and, of course, we all think about the lives that have been lost from all sections of the community on the A5. Your Department will have been planning for this day for some time, and you will have worked…
As the Member will know, I have met Monica Heaney on numerous occasions. I have also met the students of New-Bridge Integrated College, who put a challenging case to me. Telling those young people that we had to put the upgrade on hold for some time was one of the most difficult things that I have had to do as…
Minister, I welcome the statement. All of our thoughts are with the families of the A5. As a Lagan Valley MLA, I know that it links your constituency and the A1, where lives have also been lost. As a Back-Bench MLA, I find it really refreshing to see you and Andrew working together to deliver stuff for the benefit of…
The confusion and uncertainty was not caused by me, my predecessor or my Department; it was caused by those who set out on a crusade to block the building of the road. However, let us put that aside. My commitment now is to ensure that there is no more uncertainty and that, from here on, the road will be built and we…
I thank the Minister for the statement. I welcome the development today and recognise the relief that so many families who have been impacted on greatly by the road will feel. I am also glad to see a Sinn Féin Minister welcoming and respecting a court judgement this week. Does the Minister accept that landowners have…
I agree 100%. That cannot be overstated. People in that part of our island have had poor connectivity for far too long. While the road safety aspect is the key priority and the key reason that we are doing what we are doing, the economic benefits and the connectivity taken right across the stretch of that road are…
Cuirim fáilte roimh ráiteas an Aire and concur with some of the commentary from Members who have mentioned people who have lost loved ones. Does the Minister agree that progress on the A5 is a significant development for transport and economic connectivity from the north-west to Dublin?
I give the Member the assurance that it is an Executive flagship project, so that funding remains ring-fenced and has always been factored into Budgets. Likewise, I was pleased that that commitment was reiterated by my counterparts in the South: Minister O'Brien and others. We have had numerous North/South Ministerial…
My constituency colleague Ms Bradshaw has stolen part of my question, but I am happy with that. I, too, would like to ask about the Lagan pedestrian bridge. Minister, you have given an update, but I press for that to happen as soon as possible. Residents there were told that that bridge was delayed because of the A5…
Minister, I join you and others in the Chamber in welcoming today's court ruling. I pay tribute to the families who have campaigned for far too long for that announcement. Minister, you will be aware that the Lagan pedestrian and cycle bridge has been delayed because of the court proceedings. Can you please give a…
Many of the projects were resting on today's decision, and we did not move ahead because we felt that it would be too much of a risk. We now have a clear line from the court about where we can go next, and it is certainly my intention that we will move ahead with the projects that have been waiting for today's ruling.…
Thank you, Minister, for the statement. Minister, will the decision taken today give a green light to other projects, such as the Ballynahinch bypass? Can it still meet its target and proposed start date?
Absolutely. You cannot put a price on the lives that have been lost and the impact that that has had on so many people. I understand that cost is important in any major project. However, the new road will bring road safety benefits for the whole north-west area and will save lives. If it saves one life, for me, that…
I thank the Minister for the statement. Minister, I acknowledge your work and the work of the Enough is Enough campaign. Today's decision will be a huge relief to all our communities, including those in Fermanagh and South Tyrone and right along that corridor. None of us who live along that stretch of road has not…
It is shameful to politic with this issue, if I am honest. What I will say to the landowners is this: "Take me out of it, listen to the families and to those who are living with life-changing injuries as a result of serious collisions on that road and then make your decision".
Minister, I am a wee bit confused. While I appreciate the court's ruling, your party has now created complete doubt, given the previous Member's question on whether anybody should challenge that ruling. The other day, the First Minister said in the House that she will do what she thinks is right. One day, you agree…
Thank you for your statement, Minister. Like you, I stood with members of the McKane, McSorley and Caldwell families, who all lost loved ones on the A5 throughout the years. Given the importance of delivering this project when it comes to road safety, the number of lives lost and the communities impacted on over the…
I, too, want to share my sympathies with all the families who have lost loved ones on the A5 and other roads. The loss of life on our roads is all too frequent. Minister, you mentioned that the judgement provides certainty for the A5 and other major projects across Northern Ireland. The A1 goes through my…
It is certainly not my intention to disrespect anybody. I have set out with officials that we want to ensure that there is timely and constructive engagement with all landowners. I completely understand the disruption that the work may cause for many people and the uncertainty that they have experienced for many…
This road runs right through the very heart of my constituency. Hundreds of acres of land will be cut through, and many farm businesses will be affected. How will you, as Minister, ensure that there will be upfront engagement with the landowners and that they receive clear, timely and concise information, unlike in…