Vol. 561 No. 4
396 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the extent to which he has examined the projection in respect of funds accruing to the local authority, the NRA or private enterprise arising from toll roads and bridges proposed, having regard to funds accruing from existing similar facilities; the extent to which existing agreements in respect of toll roads and bridges have been agreed for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4541/03]
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 the National Roads Authority under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act, 2000).
Local authorities have similar powers in relation to the tolling of non-national roads. For example, the relevant agreement to provide and operate the East link toll bridge is between NTR and Dublin City Council. The East link toll bridge, which opened in 1986, is a non-national road and is a matter for the Minister of the Environment and Local Government.
The West link toll bridge, which opened in 1990, is operated by NTR. The relevant agreement to operate this toll bridge is between NTR and the NRA and provides for tolls being charged for a period of 30 years from the date of opening of the toll facility.
An annual licence fee based on a percentage of the gross toll revenue, GTR, is payable to the Minister for Transport in respect of the West link Bridge. The Minister's share of gross toll revenue in respect of 2001 was €9.2 million.
It is envisaged that a significant proportion of the national roads programme will be implemented by means of public-private partnerships, PPPs, which will involve private sector funding and will ensure earlier delivery of vital national road infrastructure. The NRA's current PPP programme comprises 11 high quality projects spread throughout the country.
The M50 second West link Bridge is under construction and is expected to be completed this year. The funding arrangements are subject to the relevant tolling agreement between the NRA and NTR.
The position in relation to the remaining PPP projects is as follows: the Kilcock-Kinnegad Project is at final negotiation stage; initial tendering has been completed and bidders have been shortlisted to proceed to the best and final offer stage in the case of both the N25 Waterford Bypass and the Dundalk Western Bypass; the N8 Rathcormac-Fermoy Bypass is at tender evaluation stage; the NRA has invited expressions of interest for the M3 Clonee to Kells; and the remaining five schemes are at an advanced design stage which includes the preparation of statutory documentation for publication.
Funding arrangements for these schemes will not be determined until the relevant negotiations are finalised and tolling agreements entered into by the NRA.
