Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 476: To ask the Minister for Transport if meetings or negotiations either by his Department or anyone else acting on his behalf have taken place with National Toll Roads on the issue of a buy-out by the State of the West Link toll bridge; the issues raised and progress made to date during such talks; if such talks have not taken place, if such a goal will be pursued; his views on such a buy-out by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19003/05]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 477: To ask the Minister for Transport the instructions he or any member of the Government have given to the NRA to renegotiate the NTR tolling contract on the West Link toll bridge; the assessment that has been made of the cost till 2020 of the buy-out of the bridge; the anticipated extend of the buy-out penalty over and above lost revenue; if an alternative Government toll will replace any negotiation; and if such a toll will not be such that it is designed to divert traffic from the M50 to local roads. [19062/05]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the possible buy-out of the West Link toll bridge; and if any early discussions with NTR have taken place on this matter. [19217/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 476, 477 and 487 together.

The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll by-laws, and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the National Roads Authority, NRA, under Part V of the Roads Act 1993, as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000.

The NRA has not submitted any proposals to my Department in regard to the issue of a buy-out of tolling rights on the West Link toll bridge. However, I am aware that, in the context of the upgrade of the M50 and my policy objective to move to open road tolling, the NRA is in negotiation with NTR on the range of issues affecting the West Link toll agreement. The NRA will report to me on the outcome of its engagement with NTR including any implications for the current agreement.