Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 October 2015
228. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views that the penalties and interest charged by e-Flow for non-payment of toll charges are acceptable; if he has discussed the matter with the National Roads Authority; and if not, if he will do so in order to have a fairer pricing regime put in place. [35177/15]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Furthermore, 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 Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).
The introduction of barrier-free tolling in 2008 and the substantial investment made in the upgrade of the M50 to make junctions free-flowing, and expand the carriageways from two to four lanes, has been of significant benefit to drivers. Of necessity, an enforcement process has to be part of the barrier-free toll operation and TII is responsible for that, including assessing appropriate penalties for non-payment of tolls. I have, therefore, asked TII to respond on how penalties and charges are set. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
