The news today that charges on most toll roads are to increase to their maximum level from 1 January is another blow to workers and families. It comes on top of the record fuel prices that motorists are paying. As the Tánaiste knows, workers and families are struggling to get by and these toll increases will really hurt commuters. Tolls disproportionately impact those living in rural areas who are forced to use a car because public transport is not an option. During the pandemic the taxpayer had to step in and pay the toll operators millions. Now, due to these gold-plated Fianna Fáil-era contracts, motorists will be forced to fork out even more. Last month the M3 toll operator alone announced a profit of €11 million. These firms are not struggling to get by. Will the Government engage with the operators? Has it asked them to forgo this hike?

I thank the Deputy. I am informed the setting of tolls is not a Government decision. It is a statutory function of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, although there are some procedural differences between the two public roads, which are the M50 and the Dublin Port tunnel, and the eight PPP roads. Obviously, news of the increase is not welcome. The M50 toll is in my constituency. The Deputy can imagine that many people travel south and north and pay that toll not just every day but twice a day. This is very unwelcome. As is required by legislation, TII will shortly publish details of the proposals in the national media prior to their introduction. From the Government's point of view, we can take it up with it at that point. I do not want to make a commitment I might not be able to honour. The power to decide the toll levels does not lie with the Government. It lies with TII.