Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I acknowledge that Ireland faces a cost-of-living crisis, as does most of the world, and we are seeing inflation at levels not seen for a generation. That impacts different people and households in different ways. People who drive and commute are affected in a serious way because the price of petrol and diesel is so high at the moment, notwithstanding the reductions in excise duty. For that reason, any increase in tolls is extremely unwelcome.

I represent a commuter constituency, Dublin West. A huge number of people cross that toll bridge every day in both directions and this will probably add something like €100 per year to their cost of living. That is not a small amount of money during a cost-of-living crisis.

I have looked into this matter. The rules around tolls work differently depending on whether the asset, road or bridge is under the control of the Government or not. The M50 is different to Dublin Port, which is different again to the public private partnership roads. As things stand, the maximum toll is linked to inflation and the consumer price index. There has not been an increase in nine years because inflation was very low but now that inflation is very high, that increase kicks in. It is proposed to impose it on motorists from 1 January. The maximum toll being set at a certain level does not mean it has to be applied. You can have a maximum price and not charge it.

Over the next few weeks, we will try to find a way to mitigate the impact of that for motorists. There would be a cost involved of around €25 million or €30 million. It is not a small amount of money but we are working with TII and the Department of Transport to see if we can do something to mitigate or defer that increase, which does not kick in until 1 January. I cannot give a solid, cast-iron commitment today because contracts are involved. The companies the Deputy referred to will want their contracts honoured. They will go to court if they are not, and probably succeed. They will also point out the money does not go into the general Exchequer but is ring-fenced for road maintenance and improvements. The cost of all that has increased as well, including the cost of labour and of materials.

I fully understand this is a most unwelcome increase for motorists and is coming at the worst possible time. We will work with the Department of Transport and TII to see if we can come up with solutions between now and 1 January.

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