Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses and thank Mr. Walsh for his presentation and for the amount of information in it. With regard to toll charges, we are hearing every day that motorists and hauliers are crippled by transport costs and the costs of driving a car have increased dramatically. All of the costs, including fuel, maintenance and ancillary charges have surged. We are now talking about new increases in tolling charges, which will add a further burden.

The public will never understand the structure and management of the tolling companies. The cost to the motorist and the profits to the controlling companies are a source of amazement to the public. We are getting a sniff of that here again today in terms of what Mr. Walsh has said in regard to the charges. Effectively, what he is saying is that the motorists have to take the hit, and the Exchequer has already taken the hit, to compensate the controlling companies. How can that be fair or equitable? Is the contract so binding? How can it be so lucrative for these companies that everybody else takes the extra charges and the companies continue to make massive profits? I am asking how these charges can be justified.

Will Mr. Walsh explain to the travelling public why TII deems it necessary for these measures to be imposed on the travelling public? Will he refer to the contractual agreements that TII has in place? Is it because they are binding that these charges are being increased? It is astounding to the public that the Government took a decision to waive the charges for six months and the Exchequer has to pick up the tab. Where do the companies come into this in terms of any reduction in the level of profits they are making?

My other question is in regard to the N24 in Tipperary. This project is between Cahir, County Tipperary, and Oola, County Limerick, and it incorporates Tipperary town. I received a commitment from the Minister for Transport on the record of the Dáil in regard to prioritising this section of new carriageway. TII communicated with me that it had gone to pre-decision, gate 1, in the public spending code. It further stated that the focus of the remaining funding would be on progressing bypasses and other projects that will contribute to achieving town centre first objectives and compact growth. Can Mr. Walsh confirm that Tipperary town meets the criteria, that that project will progress, that it is a priority and that the element of it which incorporates the Tipperary town bypass will be prioritised over any other section of that motorway?