Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1223: To ask the Minister for Transport if there are plans to ensure that Irish hauliers and Irish taxpayers are not disadvantaged by the introduction in most EU countries of daily or kilometre road charges compared with the flat road tax paid by Irish hauliers; and if his attention has been drawn to plans by the British Government to charge foreign hauliers at point of entry to ensure their contribution to road maintenance. [1050/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Directive No. 2006/38/EC amending the existing Eurovignette Directive No. 1999/62/EC on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures was adopted on by the European Council on 27 March 2006 and entered into force on 17 May 2006.

The amending Directive is designed to supplement the existing rules in respect of tolls and user charges for HGVs and to align national systems on common principles with two purposes in mind: to ensure fair competition in the transport sector; and as a means of including the cost to society in the prices paid by infrastructure users.

The Directive lays down rules for calculating tolls and user charges for the use of roads on the trans-European road network. It also enables Member States to apply tolls and user charges on roads not forming part of the trans-European network, for instance parallel roads, with a view to managing traffic flows. In addition, Member States may choose to apply tolls or charges to only parts of the trans-European network or not to apply tolls or charges at all.

From Ireland's point of view, the Directive provides that any tolls charged cannot discriminate against international traffic and should not result in distortions of competition between operators. Fees should be non-discriminatory and their collection should not involve excessive formalities or create barriers at internal borders.

Member States have up to 10 June 2008 to transpose the Directive into their national legislation.

The UK Government is currently investigating various proposals for a road pricing scheme. If firm proposals are announced for any category of charging there will be public consultation.