National Toll Roads (NTR) has rejected a proposal from the PDs to cut congestion on the M50 by allowing motorists to travel free one way through the West Link toll bridge.
PD senator and transport spokesman Tom Morrissey had claimed that scrapping the toll for those travelling northbound while doubling it for those driving south would solve the chronic congestion frequently experienced by motorists using the motorway.
Speaking on RTE radio this evening, NTR director of corporate affairs Tony McClafferty said the proposal had been analyzed in the past but it was thought such move would increase congestion on other routes.
He said NTR was working on plans to upgrade the motorway to alleviate congestion and for an "electronic toll solution" to the motorway's problems.
Fine Gael spokeswoman on Transport Olivia Mitchell had dismissed the PDs suggestion as "daft", saying that raising toll barriers at peak times was the only solution.
"The Government's income from NTR is €34 million annually and a small fraction of this could fund the clearing of tailbacks by raising the barriers at peak times," she said.
NTR today reported operating profits of €12.4 million for the first half of this year, an increase of 40 per cent on the same period last year. Profits from its roads and tolls division rose from €7.5 million in the first half last year to €13.3 million.