A5: Draft Order

Oral Answers to Questions — Regional Development – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:45 pm on 1 February 2016.

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Photo of Declan McAleer Declan McAleer Sinn Féin 2:45, 1 February 2016

3. Mr McAleer asked the Minister for Regional Development when she will agree the draft order to enable the A5 project to advance to its next stage. (AQO 9510/11-16)

Photo of Michelle McIlveen Michelle McIlveen DUP

The Member will be aware that included in the Fresh Start Agreement is a commitment by the Executive to advance the A5 western transport corridor project. The Irish Government have made a commitment to contribute £75 million match funding towards the project. That funding commitment is intended to ensure that, subject to the successful completion of statutory procedures, construction of the New Buildings to Strabane section can commence in 2017, with an estimated completion date of 2019.

In December, I invited landowners to meet me. That was an open and frank discussion, and I have since followed up on concerns that they raised. Work on the new draft statutory orders and environmental statement is now complete. The next step is their publication, and I hope to make an announcement on that shortly.

Photo of Declan McAleer Declan McAleer Sinn Féin

Go raibh maith agat. I thank the Minister for her answer. I understand that signing off the draft orders will trigger a six-week public consultation. I know from questions to your predecessor that there will be public exhibitions on the back of that. Can the Minister give us any clarity on when those will be signed off and when the six-week consultation will start?

Photo of Michelle McIlveen Michelle McIlveen DUP

The Member will be aware that I have been doing considerable work on this. That is in addition to the announcement that I am looking to introduce a land acquisition and compensation Bill to assist landowners as we move through the process. That, accompanied by work that I have been doing in relation to land agents, is part of the preparation that I wanted to complete before moving on to any announcement. I am hopeful that an announcement will be made quite shortly.

Photo of Trevor Clarke Trevor Clarke DUP

I thank the Minister for her answers. I welcome the article in 'Farming Life' at the weekend that referred to enhanced compensation for those losing their land to vesting. I welcome that announcement, but why was this or something like it not announced or done sooner in this mandate?

Photo of Michelle McIlveen Michelle McIlveen DUP

I thank the Member for his question. To be honest, I cannot answer that, other than to say that I really do not know. Since coming into post, I have made it my business to have conversations to see what the issues have been with the A5 and A6. As I said in answer to a previous question, I met land agents, who highlighted a number of concerns, one of which was about land acquisition and compensation.

I have sought and am seeking Executive approval on the introduction of a land acquisition and compensation Bill. I will be seeking accelerated passage for this Bill to bring compensation levels into line with the rest of the United Kingdom, particularly England and Wales, around compulsory land purchase. This is a clear anomaly, and I want to ensure that landowners in Northern Ireland are treated fairly and equitably. That is the purpose of the request around this Bill.

Photo of Daniel McCrossan Daniel McCrossan Social Democratic and Labour Party 3:00, 1 February 2016

Will the Minister agree that there is a serious legacy issue relating to infrastructure in the north-west? What additional funding or financial backing will be allocated beyond this point, given that the draft Budget for 2016-2021 does not allow for major investment in infrastructure in the north-west?

Photo of Michelle McIlveen Michelle McIlveen DUP

I thank the Member for his question, although I am a wee bit perplexed by it given that the flagship projects for the A5 and the A6 have recently been announced in the Budget statement. This will significantly help the connectivity around the north-west. If the Member has other projects that he thinks would be of significance and would assist with all of this, I am more than content to meet him to discuss his concerns.

Photo of Jim Allister Jim Allister Traditional Unionist Voice

With eight miles of this stage having to be constructed through a floodplain, why is her Department not able to say how much that will add to the cost of this project? Does cost not matter when it comes to this project? Is cost only an inhibitor when it comes to fixing our potholes?

Photo of Michelle McIlveen Michelle McIlveen DUP

I thank the Member for his question. Obviously, cost does matter. In relation to this particular scheme, a considerable amount of work and research has been undertaken to find the appropriate route. Once the announcements are made, the Member will see what that is.