In a further boost to the Northern Ireland economy, the Irish Government is to give €580m to help fund major roads programmes in Northern Ireland.
The money will be spent on the road from Belfast to Larne and the route serving the North West Gateway. The Northern Ireland Executive confirmed its acceptance, in principle, to taking forward these two major road projects.
Meanwhile, the Irish Government will also pay the full capital costs for the restoration of a section of the Ulster Canal between Clones and Upper Lough Erne.