Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 646: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the negotiations he has had with the hauliers' association and the negotiations he has had with the EU in view of the EU plan to charge road hauliers for pollution and noise. [18720/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I take it that the Deputy is referring to proposals to amend the Eurovignette Directives. The Directives set a common framework to be implemented where Member States apply tolls and time based road use charges on certain motorways for particular heavy goods vehicles (HGVs); and proposals to amend the Directives provide, among other matters, for an optional additional surcharge on tolls (known as the external cost charge and relating to environmental impacts such as air and noise pollution) are nearing finalisation. Neither the Directive nor the proposed amendments oblige Member States to apply tolls or charges

My Department has been involved in EU negotiations on the proposed amending Directive over the past three years, and has had various contacts on the matter with haulage interests. Road tolls and charges are important for investment in infrastructure in Ireland as in other Member States, and the reality of external costs has to be provided for. The decision to apply charges is a matter for each Member State, but Eurovignette is about ensuring a common and transparent framework for charges, including how they are calculated and maximum amounts.