THE LEVEL of vehicle diversion from motorways resulting from tolls was low, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey told the Dáil.

Fine Gael spokesman Simon Coveney said it was 17 per cent.

Mr Dempsey said it was lower than that for heavy goods vehicles because the advantages in using a motorway from one end to the other outweighed the disadvantage of the toll fee.

“One section of the M50 is tolled at present so people using one part of the M50 pay the toll charge while those using other parts pay nothing, which is not a very fair or equitable system,” he added. “One can introduce toll systems that will reduce the cost for some, although more people might be caught at a lower rate. Issues like this need to be discussed and considered.”

Mr Dempsey said road pricing had a role to play, particularly in urban areas, in reducing carbon emissions and improving health and the environment.

Mr Coveney said there was a link between the use of motorway infrastructure and the amount charged to use it by way of tolls.

He warned that the introduction of new tolling booths on motorways would have a negative impact on the number of haulage vehicles being driven into towns such as Abbeyleix, Durrow, Fermoy and Mitchelstown.