Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Transport the situation with regard to plans to introduce open tolling on national motorways; the discussions he has had with the NRA and NTR in this regard; when the necessary legislation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15569/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Automated toll collection is currently in use on existing toll plazas and provides for one toll lane in each direction dedicated to the automated collection of tolls. A physical barrier is used on the lanes to prevent non-payment of tolls. The only route where a move to full open road on barrier free tolling, that is, no manual collection and barrier free, is being considered is the M50. The move from the current toll arrangement on the M50 to a non-stop automated toll collection facility would be completed over a number of stages, involving a phased reduction in the cashier or coin basket lanes with a corresponding increase in payments by automated methods. I have met both the NRA and NTR on this matter and I emphasised the importance of moving to open road tolling as quickly as possible on the M50.

My Department is contributing to the process by reviewing the need to change, where necessary, the legislative framework so as to facilitate the introduction of open road tolling. In particular, it is likely that legislation will be needed to implement appropriate deterrents for non-payment of tolls in an open road tolling environment. I anticipate, subject to the other priorities on the legislative programme, that the draft legislation will be introduced in autumn of this year.