The Government could consider extending excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel in a bid to counteract rising toll costs for commuters.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport Hildegarde Naughton suggested that the Government will also talk to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) about whether it would be possible to delay or scrap the increases.
TII announced this week that from January 1, 2023, all drivers heading through a toll will be hit with increased charges due to the current rate of inflation in Ireland. This will affect all 10 tolls across Ireland, apart from the Port Tunnel.
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Excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel were extended as part of September’s Budget as part of the Government’s cost of the living package.
Speaking at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in Athlone, Ms Naughton said that the Government must now engage with TII on the issue.
When asked if the excise duty cuts could be extended to counteract the toll increases, she said that it “will be part of the Government’s considerations”.
“We need a solution on this is the bottom line in relation to ensuring that commuters are not going to be dealing with the brunt of the cost of an increase in these tolls,” she told the Irish Mirror.
“That's where the engagement between Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Government needs to happen in order to find that solution.
“What it is, we don't know right now. But there has to be a solution.
“[Extending excise duty cuts] is a Government decision. That will be all part of Government’s consideration in relation to ensuring that at the end of the day…
“What needs to happen here is the commuter cannot be incurring increased costs, particularly during a cost of living crisis.
“We've gone through a really detailed, complex budget, mainly led by Minister Heather Humphreys’ Department, in trying to alleviate and help those who are affected by it.
“What we cannot have now is another situation where another arm of the state is increasing the cost for people.”
Minister Naughton admitted that the TII’s decision to increase tolls was not coming at a good time and the Government will engage with the body on the matter.
However, she insisted that it was not a Government decision.
When asked if there was anything the Government could ask TII to scrap or delay the increases, Ms Naughton said that “these are conversations that really need to happen now”.
“We don’t want to do is give with one hand and be taking with another,” she added.
As part of the increases M50 tolls will increase by 20c and 30c, depending on what method of payment is used.
For those with a tag, it will rise from €2.10 to €2.30, while for those captured on video will rise from €2.70 to €2.90.
The toll for unregistered cars will increase from €3.20 to €3.50.
The price for a car using the M4 motorway will increase by 20c, from €3.00 to €3.20, while using the other seven toll roads (M1, M3, M7/M8, M8, N6, N25WF, N18-LT) will increase by 10c.
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