Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 May 2017
252. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the actions he has taken or will take to ensure that an organisation (details supplied) will not be subject to toll charges and the related queuing delays that can occur at toll stations throughout the State. [24880/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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, formerly NRA) under Part V of the Roads Acts 1993 to 2015. The Roads Act 1993 sets out the legislative provisions regarding tolling and section 62 of the Act specifies the categories of vehicles which are exempt from the payment of toll charges.
Only ambulance, fire brigade vehicles and vehicles used by members of An Garda Síochána or the Defence Forces, in the performance of their duties as such members, are exempt from the payment of tolls. In that regard, it is important to note that the Irish Coast Guard of this Department, the Royal National Lifeboat Institute, mountain rescue teams and other community-based voluntary emergency services and groups are not exempt from the payment of tolls.
Although voluntary and community organisations such as river and sea rescue provide a valuable service, it is still essential, for the purpose of implementation of a fair and robust system of tolling enforcement, that it is applied equally to all users. It would thus be very difficult to provide an exemption for one voluntary or community organisation and not to another. In addition, making the voluntary and community sector generally exempt from tolls would incur a cost to the Exchequer as the PPP toll operators would have to be reimbursed for losses.
Noting the above position, I have referred the matter to TII for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
