Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport

Motorway Toll Charges: Transport Infrastructure Ireland

Photo of Kieran O'DonnellKieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I have two further points to make. First, the committee asks that TII expedite its engagement with the PPP providers and the Department of Transport in order to arrive at absolute clarity on this issue over the next ten days. Drifting into the week ending 17 December, which is the last sitting day of the Dáil, is far too late.

Second, we will come back to the issue of TII's funding model and the implications, in the current environment, for costs to consumers. Mr. Walsh made the point about what TII is charged to do. However, people are under enormous pressure financially. Toll charges are one of the main issues for daily commuters and the amount involved is not insignificant. For people driving on the M50 on a daily basis, it is costing them €3.50 if their vehicle is untagged. If they are going through the toll both ways, that is €7 a day. If they are doing it five days a week, it is adds up to €35 per week and approximately €140 a month. It is a lot of money. We will come back to this matter. The first six months of next year are covered but the committee will follow up on what happens thereafter. We ask that TII engage on the matter with the Department, the Minister and the Minister of State. Will Mr. Walsh give a commitment that TII will expedite matters in terms of a decision on the question of extending the deferral beyond the first six months of 2023?