The Obelisk Bridge at Oldbridge in Drogheda has been closed since August for restoration, and will be closed until May 2024. It was closed without any sort of traffic management plan, and has caused traffic chaos. It was the only crossing for people living in the immediate vicinity to get from the north to the south side of Drogheda. As a result of that, people are now forced to use the toll section on the M1 daily to take children to and from school. I have been liaising with the Minister for Transport and I have been on to Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, and Louth County Council, and the State bodies are all passing the buck. The obvious solution would be to provide an M1 toll pass for those living in the direct vicinity for the duration of the works. It could be distributed using eircodes. I have been back and forth and the Minister has not been of much help as of yet. It is one thing asking people to put up with that expense during the cost-of-living crisis for a couple of weeks, but it is extremely unfair to do so for the guts of a year. Will the Taoiseach ask the Minister to liaise with Louth County Council, TII and the toll operator to come to some workable agreement on this, and to issue toll passes for the duration of the works?

I am not familiar with the details, but I can hear that it is causing a lot of inconvenience for people in Drogheda. I will certainly make some inquiries with the Minister, Deputy Ryan, and see if there is something that can be done. I am not sure whether a toll pass would be workable, but I will certainly make sure he is aware of the suggestion.