Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The reason for the proposal is to try, over the next few years, to increase by 50% the capacity of the M50 and remove the toll plaza without getting rid of tolling, without which we would not be able to complete the kind of investment we require. We already spend much more than the European average on infrastructure. This year, we will spend €1.6 billion on main roads and approximately €750 million on secondary roads. We cannot catch up and make these levels of investment, while also putting in a metro orbital route around Dublin and all the other transport initiatives, by having them funded exclusively by the taxpayer. Countries which were much wealthier than Ireland in the past have toll regimes. We must upgrade and enhance the M50, spend €1 billion on the new phases and bring in the best technology possible. The National Roads Authority will go to tender for the best arrangements and we will, I hope, see some best international practice on the roads. The NRA has made the decision to remove the toll plaza but one cannot do so overnight. It is in a contractual arrangement until 2020 but has indicated the plaza will be removed in two years.

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