Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)

I also welcome the visitors from Clann na nGael GAA in south Roscommon. This tour was organised in conjunction with former Deputy Denis Naughten. It was great to be able to facilitate it and that of the next group that is going to be in here.

While I am talking about welcoming visitors from the west of Ireland, I take the opportunity to raise the issue of the increase in toll charges that is going to be implemented from 1 January 2026. At time when the cost of the living is increasing, it is a bit much to look to increase the cost of accessing some of this infrastructure across the country. As an example, total revenues from toll roads in Ireland at the moment stand at about €478 million. Some 153,000 vehicles use the M50 daily. Annually, 58 million vehicles use the motorway. What we are talking about is the cost of journeys being increased by 10 cent or 20 cent, but that is each way. This prevents visitors such as those who we have with us in the Chamber today from travelling to see family and friends, to visit places like Leinster House or the Guinness Storehouse, which they enjoyed earlier on today. This is going to impede certain sectors of our economy. I call for a debate on this matter in order that, I hope, we might be in a position to stop that increase before it is implemented on 1 January.