At the end of Question Time last week when there was some discussion of tolls, and particularly of the issue of where the power to approve toll schemes resides, I indicated that I understood the approval of toll schemes was a matter for the Minister for Environment and Local Government. I wish to clarify for the House that while the Minister had this role previously, the approval of national road toll schemes is now a matter for the National Roads Authority, under the terms of the new legislation introduced with effect from the beginning of the year. I refer to Part 20 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000.
