Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I think I drew the short straw today. I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister for Transport. I was very glad that I was here for Leaders' Questions because this issue was raised and the Tánaiste answered and it was also raised under Questions on Promised Legislation. I reiterate what the Tánaiste said today. He said that we are not happy about it and that "obviously, news of the increase is not welcome.". He was unaware of it before it happened and he said the issue would be taken up with TII when the details of its proposals are published. I welcome the fact that the Government will take it up with TII because the setting of tolls is a statutory function of TII. In line with that statutory function, the TII board has agreed to a toll increase for 2023 on the M50. TII has also reviewed and agreed with the toll increases submitted by the PPP companies for the eight PPP routes. There will be no changes to toll rates for the Dublin Port Tunnel.

Tolls will increase because of the consumer price index, CPI, calculations carried out each year. The CPI increased by 8.6% between August 2021 and August 2022 and this has resulted in increased tolls on all eight PPP schemes and on the M50. The by-laws for each individual toll scheme set out the basis for calculating the maximum toll for each year. These increases include a 30 cent increase for cars without tags or video accounts on the M50 bringing the toll paid to €3.50. I am glad I do not have to travel that route every day. On the M1, there will be an increase of 10 cent for cars, which brings the toll to €2.10. This has been driven by inflation of 8.6% based on the CPI and is within the relevant bye-laws for each scheme. As required by the legislation, TII will shortly publish details of the proposals in the national media prior to their introduction. That is what the Tánaiste referred to today. The issue will be taken up with TII when the details of the proposals are published. I take on board the Deputy's point. This is not about tolls per se. This is an increase in the cost of living for people who have to travel on tolled roads to and from work five days a week.

I am with the Deputy on this issue. This came out of the blue. It was not what we were expecting and I welcome the Tánaiste's words today.

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