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Pringle questions Government on progress on Donegal works
- Updated: 8th February 2024
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has questioned Government on Donegal projects in relation to the National Development Plan, including improvement works to the N56 from Mountcharles to Killybegs and the proposed A5 upgrade.
Addressing the Minister for Public Expenditure in the Dáil today, Deputy Pringle acknowledged the works ongoing in Donegal. However, he said: “In relation to the update report, the Project Ireland 2020-2040, annual report 2022, Donegal didn’t receive a mention at all in terms of progress and how things are going, and I think that’s worrying in terms of the delivery of these projects.”
“And in the 2022 regional report there were only three mentions in total of Donegal projects,” he said.
The deputy said the 2020-2040 capital programme report also included Donegal projects that had already been completed, such as the Donegal Group B wastewater treatment plant, which was completed in 2018; and works following the 2013 hospital flooding in Letterkenny.
Deputy Pringle said: “So that’s a worrying development, I think, and while those projects need to be developed we need to make sure that the projects are relevant to the time and in operation at the time, and not completed.”
The deputy raised the issue during questions to the Minister for Public Expenditure on National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.
Deputy Pringle acknowledged the work on the N56 from Dungloe to Glenties that Minister Paschal Donohoe referenced in his response and said: “There is also a very important section from Mountcharles to Killybegs, in terms of the development of the port of Killybegs, in terms of renewable energy and future developments there.”
The deputy said the work is not currently included in the plan and asked when it could be included.
Deputy Pringle also questioned Government’s plans for progressing the A5 upgrade, now that the assembly is up and running again in the North.
In his response, Minister Donohoe said he took on board Deputy Pringle’s point that given the number of projects underway in Donegal that it appears the county should have received more reference in the report.
He said he will follow up with Minister Eamon Ryan on the works from Mountcharles to Killybegs and said he knew the benefits that those works would bring to Killybegs. Minister Donohoe said funding decisions in relation to individual projects are a matter for individual ministers.
In relation to the A5, Minister Donohoe said Government remains committed to the development of that project.
