Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It was either TII or the National Transport Authority, NTA, that asked whether we see maybe a model in the longer term whereby rather than have road tax, which we talk about in terms of fossil fuels versus electric, we would have road pricing all the time. It could be very cheap in the middle of nowhere, relatively speaking, because there is no alternative. However, if people want to use the M50 at half eight on a Monday morning, they will pay a premium and if they want to use it at half six or half ten, they will pay less. Moreover, they will pay per kilometre because at the moment, I get my car and outlay for the insurance, which is a big block, and pay my road tax. However, the marginal cost is not that great relatively. Fuel is dearer than it was but the marginal cost is not that great. I am almost saying I bought the car and have the insurance and road tax but there is that relative extra bit. I cycled in today; I cycle in most days. However, the point is that if every kilometre was charged, for people who live right beside the DART and want to use it, it is a bit more expensive than if they live in a rural area with no public transport. Do we ever see that kind of model? My view is that it would be revenue neutral. It would not be about collecting more-----