Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The position is that the Government decided to buy out NTR from a contract dating from 1987. As for the arguments on who negotiated the contract, the records make it clear who did so. However, that is neither here nor there.

From August 2008, a new company will take over the barrier-free tolling. Negotiations in this regard are ongoing and it will be appointed shortly. This will coincide with the completion of the work of phases 1 and 3 of the M50 upgrade, on which a total of €1 billion is being spent. Another phase will be completed by 2010. From 2008, the revenues that will be generated on the M50 will revert to the State. Such revenues are approximately €45 million at present and, depending on their levels, they will go towards the upgrade of the road.

However, the Government must complete the contract. As I noted, it is not double money. I believe that developments on both the Naas Road and on either side of the M50 are crucial in this respect because more or less the same traffic goes on to it. I am aware of the view that the easy solution would be to remove the toll, after which everything would be resolved.

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