Noel Dempsey
Ceist:4 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to introduce tolls on already completed roads. [10111/95]
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Toll Schemes.
Michael Ahern
Ceist:22 Mr. M. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to introduce tolls on already completed roads. [9939/95]
Dermot Ahern
Ceist:31 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to introduce tolls on already completed roads. [9938/95]
Liam Aylward
Ceist:39 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to introduce tolls on already completed roads. [9942/95]
David Andrews
Ceist:53 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to establish tolls on already completed roads. [9941/95]
Donal Moynihan
Ceist:69 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for the Environment the intentions, if any he has to allow and approve toll schemes on the already completed national road network. [9177/95]
Dermot Ahern
Ceist:70 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to introduce tolls on already completed roads. [9940/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 22, 31, 39, 53, 69 and 70 together.
The National Development Plan 1994-99 sets out guidelines on the tolling of national roads similar to those adopted by successive Governments since 1985. The guidelines provide that and funding obtained from tolls would be regarded as additional to the planned State investment and used to accelerate the development of the national road network; there would be public competition for each private toll franchise and for the construction of each toll road; all toll roads would be designed, constructed, maintained and operated to agreed standards normally applicable to national roads; all toll roads would be public roads in the ownership of local authorities and subject to normal traffic management and other legislative controls; any private toll franchise would be limited to an agreed period of years and would revert to the National Roads Authority at the end of that period; and private investment should generally meet at least 20 per cent of the capital cost of the toll road, with the exact level being determined by negotiations in each case.
While the plan anticipated that up to £100 million might be raised through tolling of national roads, it left it to the National Roads Authority to conduct a review of the actual scope for tolling.
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. Local authorities have similar powers in relation to the tolling of non-national roads. The initiatives as to which roads, if any, should be subject to tolls rests with the NRA or the local authority, as appropriate. My only functions relate to the approval or otherwise of toll schemes, by-laws and agreements made by the NRA or local authorities.
Will the Minister clarify if the National Roads Authority has the power to put tolls on existing roads on which large amounts of Irish and European taxpayers' money has already been expended? Has the Minister handed over to the National Roads Authority the power to impose such a tax on people who have already contributed by way of PAYE and motor tax?
I did not hand over such power to anybody, but in 1993 the Oireachtas legislated, under the National Roads Authority Act, to give to the National Road Authority the power to make proposals regarding a tolling scheme, the acceptance or rejection of which would ultimately fall to me.
What is the Minister's position on the levying of tolls? I am concerned in particular with the downstream crossing of the Lee in Cork about which Cork Corporation made a submission to the National Roads Authority. While legislation was enacted under a Minister from my party, greater local authority input is necessary in final decision-making.
I support the view of my predecessor, Deputy Smith, that where possible funding should be generated from tolling to augment and accelerate the extensive investment from the State and the European Union in our national roads system. If major roadworks can be advanced through such a system, the matter should be considered.
It has always been envisaged that the down-stream crossing of the Lee would be subject to a toll and I understand in due course such proposals will be advanced. I was very impressed by the National Roads Network in Cork and I understand from the National Roads Authority that one-quarter of total expenditure on national roads this year will be expended in Cork.
It is a pity people did not know that before the by-election.