November 21, 2022
Eamon Ryan’s refusal to address toll road price hikes an abdication of duties – Darren O’Rourke TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport, Darren O’Rourke, has said Eamon Ryan needs to stop abdicating his responsibilities as Minister for Transport and bring all possible pressure to bear to scrap toll road price hikes.

Teachta O’Rourke’s comments come following the Minister’s refusal this morning to be drawn on whether he would seek for the increases to be deferred or reduced. 

The Meath East TD said:

“The Minister for Transport clearly has no interest in bringing toll operators to heel, and is abdicating his responsibilities. 

“Eamon Ryan needs to take his head out of the clouds, and he must bring all possible pressure to bear on toll road operators and TII to scrap price hikes.

“It is also incredibly frustrating for commuters that we have the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, acting as if he is in opposition and not sitting at the cabinet table, giving interviews saying that he would like to see tolls reduced, instead of picking up the phone to his government colleague to get him to do his job.

“These private companies are already making millions of euro in profit, so how can they, or Transport Infrastructure Ireland, justify increasing toll prices to their maximum permitted level?

“Just last month, for example, the M3 toll operator reported €11m in profit for the previous year.

“Eamon Ryan is the Minister for Transport and has responsibility for all road users, so he simply cannot ignore the valid concerns of motorists and hauliers.

“These are people who have no alternative to use these roads – nurses, teachers and Gardaí, driving to and from work – and they are already struggling with commuting costs with diesel and petrol at record-high levels.

“Many of these commuters are reliant on their private car as government after government have failed to put sustainable alternative transport options in place.

“In addition, any increase in costs for hauliers will also push food prices even higher, and it is incredible that Minister Ryan seems totally unphased by this at a time when food prices are already soaring.”

Follow us online

Latest Tweets

Today, Derry and Strabane turn another page in a transformative journey.

The largest investment in the area’s history—nearly £300m—is signed and sealed.

It’s now time deliver the best possible opportunities for all who call Derry and Strabane home.

The Fine Gael & Fianna Fáil government have a chance to make Ireland a better place to raise a family and build a future: Support Sinn Féin's plan to cut the cost of childcare, increase wages for early educators & build capacity in our childcare sector

https://childcare.sinnfein.ie/

Today marks a major milestone for the North-West with the signing of the £290m Derry and Strabane Growth Deal.

This investment will create better jobs and deliver transformative infrastructure, education, and tourism projects for our communities.

I believe in the potential of…

Israel cannot be allowed to ignore yet another UN resolution without sanction – @mattcarthy

"Israel continues to enjoy preferential relationships with European states, including Ireland, while it maintains its brutal assault on the Palestinian people."

Load More