Seanad debates
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage
3:00 pm
Derek McDowell (Labour)
There is a political choice to be made; whether we believe it is correct to write a cheque of that magnitude to NTR for each of the next 12 years or whether we believe that should be done by virtue of the tolls paid by road users. It is not an easy choice for somebody like me who does not believe we should be tolling it in the first place. However, on balance, it appears some sort of tolling system will have to continue.
I will return to the demand-management point in a few moments because it has relevance to issues which are not specific to the M50 but what we have to do in terms of transport in the general Dublin area. I have a number of detailed questions which are important in terms of the money aspects of this matter. The Minister acknowledged a figure of €50 million against the CPI. Is that a net figure? As the Minister is well aware, the State takes VAT and licensing fees and rates are paid to two county councils at least. In effect, there is a substantial take by the State from the toll that is currently paid. Is the €50 million inclusive of that or is it the net figure we will pay over to NTR?
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