Following recent speculation that the Irish government would be ceasing funding certain projects in Northern Ireland, the Fermanagh-South Tyrone SDLP Assembly member, Tommy Gallagher said he has received a firm assurance from the North's Regional Development Minister, Conor Murphy that the upgrading of the Enniskillen to Sligo road will be on the agenda of the next North South Ministerial Council Transport Sector meeting to be held in April.

Mr Gallagher said: "I was frankly disappointed that the Minister and his Department did not raise the upgrade at the North South Ministerial Council meeting held in January 2009. They chose instead to raise the Derry to Dublin route.

While the government in Dublin has recently reaffirmed its commitment to the promised cross-border road investments, these were difficult and uncertain times.

"We need to keep the pressure up to make sure the Sligo road project does not slip back. That is why it is so important to have it discussed in April."

Mr Gallagher had asked the Minister for Regional Development, Conor Murphy if the upgrading of Enniskillen to Sligo Road was raised at the North South Ministerial Council meeting on 23 January last.

He was informed that the upgrading of the Enniskillen to Sligo Road was not raised at that North South Ministerial Council meeting. However, he was assured that the issue was discussed at a Bilateral Transport meeting which Mr Murphy had held with Noel Dempsey, TD, on 7 November last year.

" I will raise it again at the next North South Ministerial Council Transport Sector meeting in April 2009", the Minister told MLA's.