Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine stated that a recent court judgement on the A5 road project in western Northern Ireland was predictable. She attributed delays to policies linked to net zero climate targets.

Erskine questioned a legal challenge to a prior judgement by Mr McAlinden. She described it as a hasty move by Sinn Fein, SDLP and Alliance parties that halted infrastructure work.

She highlighted a lack of meetings between the Infrastructure Minister and the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister after the judgement. Records show no such meetings occurred.

In June, the Infrastructure Minister told the Assembly she was consulting the department's legal team. Erskine noted the Minister did not meet the Attorney General until ten days after the court ruling.

Erskine called for explanations on the Minister's Assembly statements about ongoing talks. She pointed to wasted time and public money due to ministerial decisions.

The A5 project faces ongoing delays, with Erskine urging action for affected communities in the west.