Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the impact of the increased tolls on motorists and families. That is why we deferred the increase for six months. We have a vast motorway network that was developed through PPPs. People can be critical of them. Neither I or the Deputy were in the House at the time. To be fair, at the time they delivered an infrastructural outcome that has helped connect Ireland and built regional connectivity across the board and supported that development.

The contracts are clear. Some of them go for between 30 and 40 years and have a clear contractual basis around the CPI. As there was very low inflation for a period, tolls were not increased for motorists. We deferred the increase for six months. Inflation has continued through this year. There will be a wider budgetary consideration for any impact on motorists if the conclusion of the CPI impact over the last 12 months is similar to last year. That will obviously be of concern, so we will have to consider that through the budgetary discussions in advance of January next year.

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