Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

As the Minister is from Waterford, the frequency of rail services for Carlow has improved. However, the quality of and overcrowding in the carriages leaves much to be desired. I welcome the proposal to construct a motorway between Dublin and Waterford which will link in Carlow. How many of the landowners affected by the proposal have had their compensation finalised? Some have explained to me they have had some problems with the process while others were happy with it.

I am against tolling. Why has a ring-fence surcharge on fuel not been introduced? Senator McDowell hit the nail on the head when he asked why it should be exempt in Dublin but not in other rural areas. If a three cent ring fence were added to the price of a litre of petrol to finance road-building programmes, it would provide a fairer system. The more mileage used, the more one should pay. Why should a pensioner, who may drive 2,000 miles a year, pay the same rate as a heavy user? Motorists are being crippled by high VRT, motor tax, half the price of a litre of petrol going to the Government in VAT and more tolling is being introduced.