Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

596. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views that road users are receiving a fair deal with regards to tolls, given the recent media reports of the enormous profits being made by private toll companies operating said installations; that the frequency and price of tolled motorways, particularly in the Dublin commuter belt is unfair to drivers who already pay motor tax; if he will review the manner in which his Department negotiates public private partnerships regarding roads and the operation of tolls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39359/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme.  The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (formerly known as the NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority.

The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll by-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).

The contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between TII and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionnaires concerned.

Under the terms of the PPP Contracts the PPP Company has the right to levy toll charges in accordance with the Toll By-Laws.  In this context toll revenues are one element of the financial package put in place to enable these high quality roads to be constructed and represent contractual commitments for the duration of the concession.

In relation to the toll on the M50 and the Dublin Port Tunnel, the revenue generated is used to meet road networks costs, including the buyout of the Westlink bridge and the M50 upgrade availability payments.