21 May 2003: The developers of the Kilcock-Kinnegad Motorway, Eurolink, will be allowed to avail of special tax breaks on the construction cost of the toll road.

These tax breaks, amounting to some E25 million, will be in addition to the tolls which will be collected from motorists using the new motorway.

"Kildare drivers are now going to have to pay on the double for this road," local TD deputy Emmet Stagg says. "As well as paying tolls directly to Eurolink for 30 years, with some drivers using the new road on a daily basis paying tolls of up to E1,000 per year, as taxpayers they will be further subsidising the cost of the road. This aspect of the financial deal was not publicly known when the roads contract was signed by the National Roads Authority and Eurolink."
Deputy Stagg condemned the move as 'yet another secretive tax break' being provided at the expense of people who work for a living.
 

Story by
Brian Byrne