Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1306. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if sea and river search and rescue vehicles are charged when travelling through road tolls; if the boats they tow are charged separately; and if they have recourse to claiming this money back. [19188/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII, formerly NRA) under Part V of the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015.

 The Roads Act 1993 sets out the legislative provisions regarding tolling and section 62 of the Act specifies the categories of vehicles which are exempt from the payment of toll charges.  Only ambulance, fire brigade vehicles and vehicles used by members of An Garda Síochána or the Defence Forces, in the performance of their duties as such members, are exempt from the payment of tolls.  In that regard, it is important to note that the Irish Coast Guard of this Department, the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, mountain rescue teams and other community-based voluntary emergency services and groups are not exempt from the payment of tolls.  

Voluntary and community organisations such as river and sea rescue provide a valuable service but in order to ensure the implementation of a fair and robust system of tolling enforcement, it is essential that it is applied equally to all users.  It would be very difficult to provide an exemption for one voluntary or community organisation and not to another.  In addition, making the voluntary and community sector generally exempt from tolls would incur a cost to the Exchequer as the PPP toll operators would have to be reimbursed for losses.  As far as I am aware, the sector in general has not expressed concerns on the matter.

Noting the above position, I have referred the matter to TII for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.