Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Transport the directions he has given to the National Roads Authority in relation to its discussions with National Toll Roads regarding the early provision of open-road tolling on the M50; the length of time the National Roads Authority and National Toll Roads discussions have been ongoing; and when an outcome is expected. [3138/06]

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Transport the role his Department has in the development of a demand management system for the M50 which is due to be introduced within three years of the completion of the first phase of the upgrade of the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3305/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 204 together.

The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, make toll bye-laws and 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.

I have given no directions to the NRA under section 41 of the Roads Act in relation to its negotiations with National Toll Roads, NTR, regarding the upgrade of that section of the M50 operated by NTR. The position in relation to the negotiations is that the NRA has decided with my agreement to terminate discussions with NTR relating to the upgrade of the West-Link toll facility and to commence a tender process for the design, building and operation of a barrier free toll regime on the M50. In this context, the NRA is undertaking a comprehensive traffic study as a basis for designing the new tolling arrangements for the M50. The detailed proposals emerging from this study will be submitted for the approval of the Government.

I understand from the NRA that they expect to have free flow tolling in operation on the upgraded section of the M50 in summer 2008.