Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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518. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is reviewing the operation of the secondary toll on the M1 at Drogheda; if he has had formal engagement with the toll operator in this regard; the nature and timeframe of the toll operator's contract; the cost to the State; if the secondary toll at Drogheda is to be removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41342/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The statutory position which I as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport have is responsibility for overall policy in relation to roads.  The statutory powers to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII and as such there is no provision under legislation by which I, as Minister, could review toll charges, such as those on the M1.

In 2012 TII conducted a study of the implications of the removal of the tolls at the north-facing slip roads at M1 junction 9.  Two scenarios were considered. The first involved removing ramp tolls only and the second involved removing ramp tolls and increasing the mainline toll.

The study concluded that significant levels of additional traffic would divert to local routes and that for both Scenarios there would be significant financial implications for TII through increased payments to the PPP company of up to €7 million and that mainline tolls would have to be increased by up to 60%.  An update of the study in 2017 concluded that the findings are still valid and would increase in line with growth in traffic demand, year-on-year.

TII is not in a position to underwrite the loss in income that would arise from a TII instruction for the removal of the ramp tolling at Donore interchange.  Given the need for ongoing investment in our transport infrastructure, I would not consider it reasonable for the State to pay this and the only possible course of action available to TII would be to increase mainline tolls.

It is important to point out that the aim of the Donore ramp toll plazas was to mitigate possible rat-running and that the toll scheme allows vehicles to exit and re-enter within three hours, with no further charge.

I recently visited the toll bridge and the surrounding areas to hear about the difficulties faced by some local residents and businesses. I am reflecting on the issues raised and whether there are reasonable measures within my power that could ameliorate the concerns expressed to me without causing adverse consequences to the tax payer or local communities.