Vol. 459 No. 6
22 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment the normal procedures that apply for interested bodies/ approved authorities seeking to meet with him to discuss matters relating to his Department; if he will meet all such requests; if he has received a request from the Automobile Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18503/95]
It is my policy, as far as is practicable, to accede to requests from representative organisations to discuss matters for which my Department is responsible. It would not, of course, be possible to accede to all such requests; each is considered on its merits.
As regards the Automobile Association, I received a letter dated 1 November 1995 from the managing director seeking a meeting to explain the association's position on tolling and to present the results of market research commissioned by it. A detailed response issued to the association on 24 November pointing out, among other things:—
—that 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;
—that before a toll can be imposed on any road, there are comprehensive procedures which must be complied with including the making of a toll scheme, the giving of public notice, consultation with local authorities and the submission of the scheme for the approval of the Minister;
—that where there are objections, a public local inquiry must be held before a decision is taken on the scheme, and that the AA and any other interested person or group would then have an opportunity to make its views known on the particular proposal.
