James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have to ask a couple of other questions, so I will let other members follow up on that. My next question is related to toll upgrades nationally. I find the Portlaoise toll, in particular, exceptionally dangerous. I do not know if other members who use it feel the same. Many people, myself included, have tags on their cars, which are great. However, if you hit the toll at a busy time, not even necessarily peak times, that fast lane is quite dangerous. I have found repeatedly that there is such demand to squeeze into one lane that it is a risk. I know Mr. Maher will refer to his statistics, but I want to tell him that it is not pleasant. Maybe there is an option to put in an additional lane. It would make a world of difference. The majority of road users who are using the toll roads on a regular basis would really welcome that. Many people have adapted to using the tags. They are great. I want to make that point too.

The motorway network is generally maintained to a very high standard. There are very few parts of the existing motorway network across the country that I am going to criticise. I cannot do so. It is one of the few public services in Ireland that is excellent in comparison to what some other countries in Europe have.

Notwithstanding that, the issue of toll charges just hit a chord with people. I think they had enough after what they have gone through. It is regrettable, because effectively the consumer price index was the cause of this. I do not think any person took a decision to up the tolls now. However, I want to make the case that there are areas in tolling that I have a problem with. I ask the witnesses to please address the issue of the Portlaoise toll. I also ask them to do an audit on Rathcormac, because I have received quite a lot of complaints that the fast barrier in Rathcormac is not very responsive to the tags. There might be some issue with the sensors there.