Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Transport the way in which and when he intends to legislate for open road tolling; and the distinction drawn between barrier free tolling and open road tolling. [35896/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Open road tolling, that is, the collection of tolls by automated means in a barrier free environment, is the optimal means of toll collection where the traffic volumes and toll revenues justify the investment required.

My Department is currently 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 early next year.

Open road tolling implies that there are no toll booths for manual collection, that is, all tolls are collected by automated means. The only route where a move to full open road tolling, that is, no manual collection and barrier free, is being considered is the M50. 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. A mixed operation toll plaza could involve both manual and automated lanes but without barriers on the automated lanes. I have made clear to the NRA that I am anxious to move to barrier free tolling on the M50 as quickly as possible.