Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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We will revert on those.

I thank Mr. Walsh and his colleagues for assisting the committee, particularly on the issue of toll charges. In the short term, there needs to be a direct engagement between the operators of the PPPs, the toll companies, the Department and TII. I looked at the dates - 9 and 16 December will be Fridays. Friday, 16 December, would be too late whereas 9 December would allow ten days. As soon as possible, TII needs to make a firm decision that the toll charge increases will not be in place on 1 January.

Turning to the medium term, we will follow up regarding the second six months. We appreciate the witnesses' candour about there being discretion in TII's funding model around the M50. We will revert on this matter.

In the long term, there is a question over the State's funding model when the PPPs conclude.

We have to have that serious discussion.

I thank the witnesses for coming in so late. This is an important item and it was of huge public interest. We would look at the matter in terms of the first six months, but inclusion as quickly as possible. More particularly, we would be looking at the order of 9 December or thereabouts. That is about ten days’ time. We will then look at the next six months and come back on other issues as well with the witnesses on it.

With that, the meeting is now adjourned. The next meeting of the joint committee will be in public session tomorrow in committee room 2 at 1.30 p.m. with Ryanair, with Michael O’Leary and Eddie Wilson coming in, on our consideration of the national aviation policy.