Conor Murphy re-iterated his commitment to developing infrastructure in the region after a motion proposed at a meeting of Derry City Council on Tuesday.

The SDLP's Martin Reilly called on the Sinn Fein minister "to stop presiding over slippage and stalemate and start delivering for this city" .

But Mr Murphy refuted such allegations and said in a statement: "It is not correct to state that there has been slippage on the A6 Derry to Dungiven project. Indeed in July 2007 I announced the appointment of consultants to examine options to enable the selection of a preferred route by spring 2009.

"My department's Roads Service would then be in a position to progress the scheme through the normal statutory procedures.

"As with all schemes the exact timing of the works would be dependent on the outcome of the statutory procedures, including land acquisition and the availability of finance through the normal budgetary process.

"However, it is envisaged that the scheme would be delivered within the lifetime of the draft Investment Strategy 2008-18."

And, in relation to the Belfast to Derry rail link, Mr Murphy added: " It is incorrect to state that there is still stalemate on the rail link between Belfast and Derry and that no money has been secured in the budget.

"The draft budget includes £12m for a major track life extension project due to begin later this year and to be completed by 2010. In addition, the draft budget includes £1m for the preparation of a business case for the relay of the railway between Coleraine and Derry. This is a substantial project estimated to cost some £64m and due to commence on site in 2011."

The relay project could not be planned until the Minister lifted the restriction on investment imposed by previous administrations.