Minister suggests N-Road tolls “being considered”

MAG Ireland has been made aware of a recent piece by Patricia McDonagh in the Irish Independent in which she quotes Minister Noel Dempsey as saying that tolls on national roads are being considered. The Independent article is here; http://www.independent.ie/national-news/dempsey-admits-new-road-tolls-are-needed-2423815.html and the relevant quotes are as follows;

By Patricia McDonagh
Wednesday November 17 2010

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey yesterday gave his strongest indication that new road tolls are on the way.

Mr Dempsey said the Government is considering a report from the National Roads Authority on a new tolling strategy for national roads.

“We do not and will not have the same funding available for maintenance or repair of roads as we had over the past decade. That is why this is being considered,” he said. “At this point, however, no decisions have been made.”

MAG Ireland has written to Minister Dempsey restating our opposition to this proposal. We have already made initial contact with both the AA and the Irish Road Hauliers Association with a view to making a co-ordinated response if this draconian measure is introduced.