Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)

PPPs have been a disaster in this regard, as the NRA put in place a mechanism, whereby if traffic levels dropped, the State would have to compensate companies. This does not make sense. The companies involved have been well paid, with many receiving significant sums from the State to undertake the projects. The Minister referred to the Limerick tunnel PPP. The NRA paid €1.8 million over a four-month period last year to the private operators of the N18, the Limerick tunnel and the M3 motorway. I am glad the Minister said private companies should not be compensated because of reducing traffic volumes. That should not have happened in the first place and I hope he is discussing how this issue can be addressed with the NRA. Is there any way of avoiding the payment of these penalties?

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