Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 408: To ask the Minister for Transport if the introduction of barrier free tolling on the M50 requires a legislative basis; the details and purpose of such legislation; when same will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8256/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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While existing legislation is adequate to facilitate the introduction of Barrier Free Tolling on the M50, it is essential that the enforcement provisions relating to non-payment of tolls be strengthened to provide sufficient deterrents to cater for toll violations in a free flow open road environment.

The main purpose of the Roads Bill 2007, which is being initiated in the Seanad tomorrow, is to provide the necessary statutory basis to facilitate the implementation of free flow open road tolling (also known as 'barrier-free' tolling) on toll-based national road schemes, through the provision of appropriate deterrents for non-payment of tolls. In particular, this legislation is necessary to support the introduction of free flow open road tolling on the M50 in mid 2008.

The Bill was published on Friday 2 March 2007.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 409: To ask the Minister for Transport the capital and annual cost of the new barrier free tolling regime on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8257/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-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 allocation of funding in relation to the construction or maintenance of national roads is a matter for the NRA under section 19 of the Roads Act, 1993.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 410: To ask the Minister for Transport the location of the new barrier free tolling gantry on the M50; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8258/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Issues relating to tolls on national roads are a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) in accordance with Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000).

The West-Link toll Bridge on the M50 will be replaced by a single-point barrier free toll on the same stretch of motorway in 2008.