Sinn Féin spokesperson on Transport and Communications, Martin Kenny TD, has criticised the nationwide toll road increase which came into effect yesterday. This is the second increase to hit motorists in 6 months.

Speaking today, Teachta Kenny said:

“The Junior Transport Minister has been flagging this increase since last summer, assuring motorists that the government would ‘look at’ how the increase could be dealt with.

“It’s clear all the government did was look, because they have introduced these increases on the very first day of the year – an exceptionally sneaky move in my opinion.

“This government’s Budget provided very little for motorists, and did nothing to delay or defer a second toll increase.

“Sinn Féin committed €31m in our Alternative Budget for 2024 to put a stop to toll increases. One of my key priorities was to provide for a deferral of any expected toll increase until such a time that these toll contracts could be renegotiated. 

“These toll contracts were a bad deal when Fianna Fáil first negotiated them, and they are a bad deal now. The contracts must be revisited.

“The toll roads are a necessity for those who are unable to complete trips to school, work, or medical appointments. They do not have an alternative to private transport.

“I am calling yet again on Minister Chambers to really assess what this second hike is doing to already hard-pressed motorists.

“Fianna Fáil is a senior government partner overseeing the decimation of the motor sector. They had the opportunity here to stand up to the Greens and could have deferred these hikes. They chose not to do so.

“This might be a marriage of convenience for the ruling parties – it is anything but for the hard working families, individuals and hauliers that are being directly affected by these increases.”