Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to be associated with the votes of sympathy to Bridget Doody and her family on the passing of her late brother. It is a difficult time for their family.

I rise to support Senator Seery Kearney on her contribution during Commencement matters. It is something I would ask the Committee on Parliamentary Privileges and Oversight to look at. I respect the Leas-Chathaoirleach's opening remarks that the Cathaoirleach has no role in it but it is our engagement given that we have no parliamentary questions as Members of the House. We should consider looking at how that exchange takes place.

I ask that the Minister for Transport would come to the House to discuss the decision to again raise toll charges to their maximum level from 1 January. It is a difficult time for everybody but we are seeing motorists, who already have to pay exorbitant fuel costs, being asked to pay further for tolls. I accept that we are doing a modal shift to the train and public transport, and we support BusConnects in Cork. However, I am disappointed that the 8.6% rise in the toll from 21 August 2021 to 2022 is continuing again with this maximum increase by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, on 1 January. I ask that we have a debate, presumably with the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Naughton, in the context of transport and the decision of TII to raise its toll charges to the maximum level on an already hard-pressed motoring industry and travelling public. I ask for that to be done as a matter of urgency.