MINISTER ACCUSED OF “POLITICALLY MOTIVATED DISCRIMINATION” ON N2 PROJECTS
Cavan/Monaghan Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy has accused Transport Minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan TD of “politically motivated discrimination against Co Monaghan” over the failure of major road improvement schemes on the N2 to secure adequate funding in order to progress. Deputy Carthy this week said that Minister Ryan has removed funding for projects that were prioritised in the National Development Plan and diverted it to projects that were not. “Only a political intervention from Minister Ryan’s coalition partners can ensure that these road projects are advanced,” he stated. The Sinn Féin TD said that Minister Ryan’s stalling of the projects would have a detrimental impact on the economic generation of the local region, would raise road safety concerns and was unfair to the large number of landowners who have had their lands sterilised for several years.
“The N2 road is a critical artery through the central Border region to the north west,” Deputy Carthy told the Northern Standard. “Upgrade schemes on two sections of that road, which have been in the pipeline for many years, have effectively been stalled by Minister Ryan. “Last year, he provided no funding at all for the Clontibret to the Border road scheme. This year, funding is dependent on matching EU grant funding. “Regarding the Ardee to Castleblayney scheme, funding has essentially been stalled so no progress can be made this year. “I have submitted several Parliamentary Questions to Minister Ryan which have been forwarded for response Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The responses are deeply disappointing. “In respect of the Ardee to Castleblayney scheme the TII state: ‘The scheme design will not be progressed further in 2023 given the current funding allocation’. “On the Clontibret to the Border scheme TII reiterate that: ‘the grant allocation is contingent on a positive decision on the CEF funding application’.
“In both instances it is clear that only a political intervention, coupled with an increased funding allocation from government to TII, will provide for these schemes to advance this year. “It is my view that Minister Ryan has removed funding for projects that were prioritised in the National Development Plan and diverted it to projects that were not. This is a scandalous, politically motivated position that has discriminated against communities in Co Monaghan and those who drive along the N2 from other…
