A5 may also fall foul of welfare row: Kennedy

Already, Universities Minister, Dr Stephen Farry, and Health Minister Edwin Poots, have said the expansion of Magee, and the opening of a new radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin, respectively, could be put back due to the ongoing welfare row.

Now the Roads Minister has added the A5 Londonderry to Aughnacloy corridor to the list of potential victims.

DUP MLA Thomas Buchanan asked the Minister on Monday: “Where does the scheme now sit in your list of priorities, and what impact might the Sinn Féin/SDLP refusal to sign up to welfare reform have on this and other large projects?”

Mr Kennedy replied: “Clearly, there are ongoing issues that we have to deal with on environmental statements and the appropriate assessments, and I outlined those in some detail.

“In a letter to ministerial colleagues in February, I provided an outline programme whereby the environmental statement and the draft orders would be published for consultation in November 2014, with the possibility of a public inquiry in spring/summer 2015.

“Of course, the Member refers in part to the uncertainty in the overall financial position of whether there will be sufficient capital money going forward.

“I am not in a position to confirm that situation, and, therefore, I am processing the work that is necessary at this time.

“Clearly, however, the financial scenario here could well impact on this scheme and, indeed, other capital schemes.”