Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The question is whether motorists will be hit with the highest permitted toll charge hikes, up to 60 cent per journey, across the country in six months' time, following the decision to raise tolls in line with inflation. This is another attack on the car and other road vehicles, which will add fuel to the cost-of-living pressures on motorists, hauliers and other transport operators. The Minister has been blasé about this, accepting it and leaving it happen behind the scenes. Is this another attack on the motorist?

Increasing toll prices will greatly increase pressures on commuters and businesses during the cost-of-living crisis. Why would the Government-owned M50 up its tolls by just over 9% while the Government also allows PPP motorways to bring in maximum tolls under agreements with the State? Will the new prices come into effect in six months?

In a recent statement, the State roads operator, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, confirmed the State and the PPP companies have discretion in setting the tolls while they are restricted from increasing the tolls beyond inflation. They do not have to match rising consumer prices. Vans, trucks and buses will also see toll increases if this happens. Tagged goods vehicles less than 2,000 kg and buses will be charged €3.80, up from €3, on video and an increase of 30 cent to €4.40 if unregistered, that is, up from €4.10. Where is all this money going? In the name of God, what are we doing? This is a cash cow. As has been said several times today, it is highway robbery of the ordinary mother and father, who are trying hard to survive. The Government is quite happy to allow that to happen because motorists are paying tax, carbon tax and 50% of the price of fuel to the State.

8 o’clock

As Deputy Mattie McGrath said, yesterday I went to Cavan for the launch of Shane P. O'Reilly's campaign running for the Rural Independent Group in the next election and came back last night. I passed six tolls on the way up. While people might say I can afford it, it is a scandalous waste to be throwing money into an old basket for people who do not have the tag. It is a fair con job, I must say. When I go into Northern Ireland I can drive around freely. It has no toll bridges. How can they survive without hitting their people in the pocket as much as we do?

While it is difficult, it would be fine if the money was distributed to pay for roads throughout the country, but the roads in west Cork are scandalous. I raised that issue with the Taoiseach today. I raised the issue of the Innishannon bypass where not a sod is turned nor a brick or a piece of tar laid there. The same is true of the southern relief road in Bandon, the northern relief road in Bandon and the Bantry relief road. I mentioned all those earlier on Leaders' Questions because we need to survive. We need to promote west Cork. Over recent years I have fought very hard. Sadly, the Cork Taoiseach is coming to the end of his term and he has never allowed any progress on any of those projects.

An independent report recently showed that Cork County Council is 52 years behind other counties on roads infrastructure and funding for different projects. When I raised that today, Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan started giving out suggesting that I should not be representing these views for the people of west Cork. He will not gag me and nobody will gag me, thank God. Only the people of Cork South-West will have their say over me and anything I might say about roads or other genuine issues in west Cork.

Why can we not have a couple of simple passing bays? That is all we are asking for - not high flyovers or anything. Around Bandon, Clonakilty and Skibbereen someone might spend half an hour or up to 40 minutes behind a lorry or tractor, which is scandalous. We need to have a clear understanding that passing bays can be put into these areas. I need to work with them, but Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan says I am talking negatively. I am actually talking positively because we need change here. While he might accept second best for west Cork, I will not accept second best for west Cork and I will never do that while I stand here in the Dáil.

I have discussed public transport with the Minister on numerous occasions. I look at the money that is being wasted. I know there has been much good footpath infrastructure done and footpaths need to be done. The other day I was going into Castletownbere, as I do fairly often. I know the Minister loves west Cork. If he takes a trip down there some day, he can give me a shout and I will take him up there. Honest to God, I might nearly consider landing a plane on some of the footpaths. It is outrageous. People tell me if there is a lorry with a Hymac and it meets another, they have to drive up on the footpath. What in the name of God is going on? It is lovely to see a new footpath. I absolutely welcome that, but not the unbelievably sized footpaths that are bigger than the roads themselves when they are looked at from both sides. It is absolutely insane.

Tolls are a vicious charge as it is. While we are discussing roads, driving and the tolls, I plead with the Minister to look at the driving instructor situation in Skibbereen. There were two permanent driving testers and one has already moved on with the second one due to move on soon. People who applied for a test two or three weeks ago were told they would get a test in three months which is a bit unfair, but we would live with that. Now some people who applied last Friday have been told they must wait six months. There is a serious situation there. A Senator from west Cork said last week that I was scaremongering. I am inundated with calls from people ringing me and my office asking why they cannot get a driving test within two or three months, which is somewhat acceptable, but not for five or six months which is not acceptable. I plead with the Minister to find out what the situation is. Will Skibbereen have full-time driving testers available on 1 January 2023? I will not accept second best. Maybe Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan and the Senator from west Cork might, but I would never do that for the people of west Cork.

See this speech in context