Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

In reply to Deputy Rabbitte, it is correct that the NRA decided at the beginning of this year, with the agreement of the Minister for Transport, to zero rate the West Link toll from mid-2008 and to compensate the NTR in accordance with the West Link agreement, the figures to be worked out in the negotiations as per the agreement. They also decided to terminate discussions with National Toll Roads and considered that a strategically commercial solution that met the objectives of the NRA with regard to the development and management of the M50 could not be achieved with National Toll Roads. There was a significant risk that NTR's proposals would infringe national and EU procurement rules and that was the reason for the decision.

On barrier-free, open road tolling, the zero rating of the West Link toll will take effect from approximately the third quarter of 2008 and that is still the position. Barrier-free tolling will then commence in conjunction with the completion of phase one of the M50 upgrade. The cost of compensating NTR will be a matter for determination between NTR and the NRA, in line with the agreement. It provides that the amount payable would be based on actual observed traffic in the 12 months preceding the application of zero tolling with an annual inflation added index. If the toll is removed in 2008, as it is estimated, approximately €45 million per annum indexed would be payable until 2020. Those are the broad figures on the issue.

Deputy Rabbitte asked what is happening now and queried the issue of four tolls. As I understand, there will be one toll on the new road when completed. In the intervening time, the costs of compensating NTR, phase two of the M50 upgrade, upgrading the West Link section of the M50 and of the barrier-free tolling will be met from the total revenue from barrier-free tolling on the M50 up to 2013. That is the basis for the calculations. All the sections Deputy Rabbitte asked about will be paid for out of tolling over a period from 2008 to 2035.

Deputy Rabbitte asked why there is not barrier-free tolling at present. Along with the Tánaiste and several other Ministers, I have had a number of meetings with the engineering people in recent months. They are of the opinion that this would be a disaster. Their view is that it might help a limited amount of traffic going straight but that the tailbacks on all the intersections would make the entire M50 unworkable. Their position is that the first part of the upgrade has commenced, the second part will commence at Easter or in early summer and the third part, which is the West Link part, will commence after that, and all three phases are to be completed within a two-year period.

Six international companies of global scale have tendered for the barrier-free tolling. It is estimated that it will take a year before the work can commence and the technology is set up. It will take two years — I wish it had all been finished five years ago but that is not the position. I reiterate that in two years' time, phase one, which is under way, phase two, which will commence at Easter, phase three, which is the West Link toll and the negotiations with National Toll Roads, and the new system of barrier-free tolling, which is already out to tender with considerable interest from at least six of the international bodies, will be in position.

As Deputy Rabbitte will be aware from the announcement yesterday, the Dublin Port tunnel will open on the morning of 20 December 2006. Restrictions which have been agreed between the traffic engineers and Dublin City Council with regard to certain zones for the five-axle trucks have been approved by the councillors and Dublin City Council.

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