"MAG Ireland insists that motorcycles should be recognised as an environmentally friendly mode of transport, the increased use of which would vastly reduce damage to the infrastructure. As such, motorcycling should be encouraged by exemption from tolls", said Herb Finnegan, chairman of MAG Ireland."

"MAG Ireland opposes any general use of road tolls in this country, however implemented. We believe them to be an anachronistic, inefficient means of financing road development and maintenance. They are detrimental to traffic flow and victimise people whose work involves them in an above average amount of road travel."

"In addition, widespread use of toll booths would only serve to exacerbate congestion problems, as has been the experience with the East and West link bridges since their implementation."

The so-called ‘PPPs’ are appropriate to speed up road development. Imposing the payment for such roads onto the travelling public is a direct and additional tax on motoring, generally. It is inappropriate in the case of motorcycles, whose environmentally-friendly nature warrants that they be encouraged rather than taxed.

The Irish Motorcyclists Action Group (MAG Ireland) represents over 5,000 motorcyclists in Ireland and is affiliated to FEMA, the European umbrella group of motorcyclist representative organisations. MAG Ireland was recently instrumental in improving insurance choice for motorcyclists, publishing a safety booklet which was distributed by the Department of the Environment and Local Government, and in leading the way toward the development of more motorcycle training instructors.

Contact: Herb Finnegan, 041 9833853 or 087 6790908