Barrier-free tolling under consideration

Barrier-free tolling is under consideration by the Government, Tánaiste Mary Harney told the Dáil yesterday in clarification of comments by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Ms Harney said that when John Gormley (Green Party, Dublin South East) asked the Taoiseach on Wednesday if the Government was going to introduce barrier-free tolling legislation, Mr Ahern said "no".

"I wish to clarify that such a measure is being considered as part of the Roads [Miscellaneous Provisions] Bill which will be published early next year."

Ms Harney was standing in for the Taoiseach on the Order of Business.

The issue was raised following persistent criticism of traffic delays at the West-Link M50 toll plaza. On Wednesday Minister for Transport Martin Cullen said the toll bridge was a "very bad service to the customer".

Mr Cullen is understood to be drafting the legislation to allow for barrier-free tolling, but it will not be introduced until talks conclude between the operators of the toll bridge, National Toll Roads, and the National Road Authority.