Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
323. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Transport if he can provide an update on the work underway as part of Project BRUCE, Better Road User Charging Evaluation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28457/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the operation and management of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Therefore, matters relating to the day to day operations regarding national roads, including toll roads and the establishment of a system of tolls, are within the remit of TII. More specifically, the statutory power to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended).
Project BRUCE will examine if a case exists to develop and apply next generation road user charging to reduce reliance on Exchequer funding while enabling government to deliver on climate targets while supporting economic growth. This is in a context where existing PPP contracts will expire in the coming decades and the network will return to public ownership.
This also presents an opportunity to investigate demand management techniques that will support transport outcomes defined most recently in the Department of Transport’s National Investment Framework for Transport in Ireland (NIFTI).
Work on Project BRUCE is at a very early stage. Under the Climate Action Plan an Implementation Plan for Project BRUCE is due to be completed by the end of June 2023. This will outline the objectives of the BRUCE study, examine the various options and the advantages and disadvantages of each, and detail potential implementation pathways for the various options. It will also seek to align BRUCE with related Government policy and initiatives. This will form the basis for a national conversation on Project BRUCE
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply updating you on Project BRUCE. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
