NRA rejects proposal to allow taxis use Dublin Port Tunnel for free

The National Roads Authority (NRA) is rejecting proposals to allow taxis to use the Dublin Port tunnel for free.

Members of the Oireachtas Transport Committee want the NRA to waive the fee for taxis as a means of promoting tourism and easing traffic congestion.

But the NRA said the tunnel should only be free for heavy goods vehicles and not for cars.

NRA Chief Executive Fred Barry however said there will be no special treatment for taxis.

"We have no plans to change the toll regime as it is," Mr Barry told the committee.

"A taxi is just another car - the question of who owns the car is really quite irrelevant.

"The Port Tunnel was built for heavy goods vehicles travelling to and from the port, and they travel for free."