As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The construction, improvement and maintenance of individual national roads, is a matter for the National Roads Authority under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
As regards M3 traffic patterns I have referred the Deputy's question on this matter to the NRA for direct reply. However, while the NRA monitors traffic flows on the national route network and should be able to provide information derived from its traffic counters in the vicinity, the specific origin and destination information the Deputy is seeking may not be available.
Separately, 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 (NRA) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007). As the contracts for the privately operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between the NRA and the PPP concessionaires concerned I have also referred the Deputy's question regarding the operation of the M3 toll to the NRA. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
