Mr. Neil McDonnell:

I refer to what we said earlier about Irish grant aid for the roads in the North. In answer to Deputy Wallace, I will be quite open in saying that there would definitely be a split between our Unionist and Nationalist members about their relative perceptions of the levy. We have sounded out both sides of the fence on this matter. The majority opinion would be that the road user levy stays. However, when we pointed out to people North of the Border that the Minister is considering a similar levy south of the Border, the tone moderated a little, especially with regard to the notion that Northern Ireland hauliers might have to pay anything similar to Irish road tax rates south of the Border. I can say that this changed the perception in the room of what might be available. In that regard I would say that there is political scope to negotiate about what might happen either side of the Border. From our point of view, we want to make a strong representation on the A5, because almost half of the transport of our members crosses the A5, not to do business in Northern Ireland but just to get over and back to Donegal. I would advise the Deputy that one of the concerns of people North of the Border is that the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, would impose a charge on the M1. If that were to occur, I could suggest that there might be a very different approach North of the Border. The difficulty we have right now is that we do not have any proposal on the table with regard to an Irish road user levy.

I am putting that forward as something that might possibly move the situation on more quickly.