Michael D. Higgins
Question:37 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will outline the Government's policy in relation to the tolling of roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29436/00]
Written Answers. - Road Tolls.
The National Development Plan 2000-2006 envisages significant private sector investment in national road development. Some £1 billion of the £4.4 billion provided for national road improvements in the NDP is to be contributed by public private partnership financing. In addition to the three pilot national roads projects already identified in the plan, the National Roads Authority has announced a further eight PPP schemes for the national road network. These new schemes, together with the pilot projects, will involve total estimated investment of over £1,000 million, with a potential private finance input of some £700 million based on user tolls.
User tolls are now in widespread use throughout the developed and developing world and are particularly favoured where rapid expansion in major road networks is required. They are a considerably more widely used instrument of roads financing than shadow tolls and more readily permit the transfer of economic risk, which is desirable in PPP projects. While the use of shadow tolls has not been ruled out, road user tolling is, on the basis of the above considerations, more likely to be relied upon in the earlier stages of national roads PPP development.
The statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll by-laws, and to enter into toll agreements with private investors is vested in the National Roads Authority under Part V of the Roads Act, 1993. Road authorities have similar powers in relation to the tolling of non-national roads. The exercise of these powers has been subject to the approval of the Minister for the Environment and Local Government.
Following commencement of the relevant provisions of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, ministerial approval will no longer be required for toll schemes, by-laws and agreements. In accordance with the revised Part V of the Roads Act, 1993, these matters are being brought within the discretion of the National Roads Authority or the relevant local road authority, in the case of national and non-national roads respectively.
In parallel, under the Planning and Development Act, 2000, the Roads Act, 1993, has been amended to provide for the issue of policy directives to the National Roads Authority or local authorities by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government regarding the exercise of their road tolling functions, with which they will be obliged to comply. Any such policy directives may not relate to particular tolling schemes and would be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Question No. 38 taken with Question No. 24.