Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department has examined the implication of moves by the UK Government to introduce electronic tolling for trucks using roads in Britain and Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7877/05]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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In November 2001 the UK Treasury published a consultation document, Modernising the Taxation of the Haulage Industry. The purpose of the document was to set out UK Government thinking on its proposal to introduce a form of lorry road-user charging in the UK. The charge would be implemented to ensure that lorry road-users in the UK contribute on a fairer and more equal basis towards the costs they impose when using roads in the UK. The charge would be levied on all road users regardless of nationality.

Ireland has a special interest in this proposal since Irish hauliers uniquely use the UK as a land bridge to mainland Europe. My Department is monitoring the development of the proposed scheme to ensure that any charging system put in place will not in practice result in unfair cost to Irish hauliers. Any potential disruption of trade and in particular cross-Border, North-South trade must also be avoided.

These concerns have been raised with the UK Treasury and they have indicated a willingness to work closely with my Department when designing the administration of the system and related matters.