Motorists could be charged over €100 for a trip into Dublin for the day under proposals to reduce congestion in our larger towns and cities.
Environmentalists argue that emissions could be driven down substantially if motorists are discouraged from driving into urban centres.
But the sense of urgency to tackle the problem is dividing the Cabinet with ministers from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael less eager than their Green colleagues to hit motorists in the pocket.
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The NTA (National Transport Authority) have suggested that congestion charges of €10 per car a day and a 400% hike in parking charges could work to keep cars away.
The cost of parking a car in Dublin city centre is typically €3 an hour, but it can be as much as €3.50.
This means that if you wish to park your car in the capital under the proposed new rules, with a 400% increase in parking charges you could be paying €15 an hour instead of €3.
If you are working an eight hour day and have no free parking, that could set you back €120, even before any €10 congestion charge is slapped on.
The Cabinet will meet tomorrow to discuss the proposals being brought by Transport Minister, Eamon Ryan, in this area.
Mr Ryan has received this modelling from the NTA on how the Government can introduce incentives and deterrents to keep cars away from urban centres.
Vehicles going in and out of our towns and cities account for almost 20% of all our carbon emissions and it is vital that this is tackled if we are to meet ambitious 2030 Green targets.
However, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told reporters in Waterford this morning that the congestion charge is not something the Government is considering introducing immediately.
It is understood it will take at least a year for the proposals to be thrashed out and formally brought back to Cabinet again for approval.
Mr Varadkar said: “It’s about moving towards urban compact growth. Irish people are really well-travelled, we’ve been all around the world.
“And I think cities that work best are ones that have a lot of people who are living in the city centre area, who are much more likely to walk or cycle to where they want to go and to use public transport.”
He added: “It’s not about banning cars or crucifying motorists…… congestion charges aren’t on the agenda at the moment for Irish cities, but it’s something I think you could see happening and making sense in Dublin in the future.”
The options are being brought By Minister Ryan to tomorrow's Cabinet meeting.
Other ideas to be put on the table to get people out of their cars will include a proposal to slash public transport fares and a new 20km lower speed limit on some national roads.
And even though fuel prices are exceptionally high at the moment, it will be proposed that fuels are made dearer again in the future through further taxes.
A spokeswoman for Minister Ryan last night said: "The memo is about looking for approval for the development of a demand management strategy.
"Our transport system is overly dependent on cars which is leading to congestion and gridlock in many of our towns and cities.
"Reducing the number of cars on our streets means that public transport can flow more freely, while cycling and walking becomes easier and safer also.
"The strategy will take a year to develop and will involve a comprehensive public consultation and a public information campaign.
"The strategy will lookat how “demand management” measures are aligned with “supply side” measures, such as improved public transport service enhancements, increased bike lanes and better pedestrian routes and Safe Routes to Schools Programme
"Cars will continue to be part of our transport mix - but this is about freeing up road space and ensuring that greater priority is given to public transport and cycling and walking so that everyone can get around in a faster, cheaper and healthier manner."
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