National Roads Authority

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 October 2012

Thursday, 18 October 2012

Ceisteanna (53)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

53. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide full details of the terms of the eight contracts in operation between the National Roads Authority and road toll operators or PPP concessionaires agreed under the Roads Acts 1993-2007, with particular reference to traffic guarantee mechanisms; the formula used to determine the agreed traffic rates under which payments are made from the Exchequer to the operators of the Limerick Tunnel PPP and the M3 Clonee-Kells PPP; the amounts of money paid to these operators to date; the amount expected to be paid over the next two years; the next available opportunity to renegotiate these contracts; the agreed average daily traffic level on the remaining six projects at which the State will benefit from a revenue share arrangement; if that level has been exceeded on any of the six projects yet; the total revenue taken to date under this agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45197/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The implementation of individual national road schemes, including Public Private Partnership projects, is a matter for the National Roads Authority in accordance with the Roads Acts 1993-2007.

In particular, 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 NRA under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).

The contracts for the privately-operated toll schemes are commercial agreements between the NRA and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concessionaires concerned. There are eight such contracts in total with two incorporating a traffic guarantee mechanism.

As the operation of these contracts is a matter for the NRA, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Authority for direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.