Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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223. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, given the unprecedented traffic gridlock caused by the closure of the Obelisk Bridge for works, he will liaise with Louth County Council, TII and the M1 toll operators, to offer Eircode-based M1 toll passes, or any other workable solution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42709/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day-to-day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the establishment of a system of tolls, are within the remit of TII.

The Obelisk bridge refurbishment project is on a non-national road and is being undertaken by the Council; TII has no role in the project.

I understand from TII they have engaged with Louth County Council, who are acting as lead Local Authority for the Obelisk Bridge refurbishment project. TII outlined to the Council that the implementation of a temporary waiver of the toll at Donore Ramps for all traffic would have the effect of inducing traffic at Donore ramps attempting to bypass the mainline toll into Drogheda. This would lead to significant congestion in the town, as well as resulting in substantial costs due to a combination of lost toll revenues at both the Donore road toll plazas, as well as the mainline toll plaza at Balgeen. In this scenario the costs would be very significant and TII is not in a position to fund any such compensation.