Aisling Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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232. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there are plans to remove the tolls from the M4 when the franchise period finishes in 2033. [32359/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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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. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).

The matter of the treatment of toll roads on the expiry of the relevant PPP contracts is currently a matter under consideration by the Department and TII. It is important to point out that no decision has been taken in this regard.