Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

Is it correct that the ownership of the bridge will not be transferred until mid-2008? Is it the case, as the Secretary General of the Department has stated, that once the port tunnel is opened, 2,200 heavy goods vehicles will be decanted on to the bridge which, she said, is the equivalent of 6,600 cars per day, or one year's additional traffic on one day?

I want the Taoiseach to explain if it is the case that after spending €600 million to buy back the bridge, it is the Government's proposal to install tolls at four different points on the M50. It is not just the €600 million that is at issue here but the €900 million lost revenue estimated by DKM that would be outstanding on the contract to 2020. The cost is €1.5 billion to the State.

Is it the case that after paying out €1.5 billion, forgoing €900 million in revenue and paying out €600 million to the private operator, it is the intention and Government policy to levy tolls on a distributor road for Dublin? Motorists, who will be very pleased to hear that the bridge is being bought back in 2008, will not be so pleased to hear that there will be four tolling points installed on the road. What is going to happen between now and mid-2008 as motorists endure a nightmare, a daily hell, during the renovation of the M50 and the installation of grade intersections at a number of points? It is between now and mid-2008 that the Taoiseach needs to negotiate with that company to throw open the bridge for the duration of the refurbishment works.

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