Cavan/Monaghan Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy claimed this week that the Government had effectively placed the major Clontibret to the Border road scheme on the N2 “on hold” – and the project might not be completed until 2033. Deputy Carthy also stated that there was “a worrying lack of transparency over the future of the project”. He was speaking at a meeting of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee in response to correspondence from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) which stated that the next steps in relation to the road were “under consideration”. Deputy Carthy informed the Committee that NTA documents released to him under Freedom of Information request indicated that the project was “suspended”. He expressed fear that a TII review of currently funded projects arising from spikes in construction inflation meant that “the failure to secure funding to date could see works on this section of the N2 delayed well beyond 2030”. Deputy Carthy said: “The Clontibret to the Border scheme was included in the National Development Plan but it emerged in January that it had been shelved from funding by Transport Infrastructure Ireland. “But, in January, the Minister responsible, Eamon Ryan, reversed the decision to shelve other projects due to demands from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil representatives in those affected constituencies. This begs the question as to the role of Cavan/Monaghan Government representatives with regard to the Clontibret to the border scheme. “The lack of clarity and transparency surrounding this project over the past two years will be of deep concern to communities for whom it can have a real impact, unlocking opportunities for Monaghan and the wider border region. “Since that time Government representatives and State agencies have sought to obfuscate the matter with various claims and meaningless language such the most recent comments that it will remain “under consideration”. “The plain truth of this matter is that TII themselves have now said that it’s on hold and have given 2033 as the estimated completion date. This date will be missed unless