Sir, – Delving further into the topic of ‘Northerners’ jealousy towards Republic’s highways – but fee levying is too much’ by Newton Emerson (Insight & Commentary, June 27th), people travelling to the stunning Brittany region in the northwestern part of France might realise that it, unlike the rest of the country, does not have any toll-infested motorways.
Back in the 15th century, Duchess Anne of Brittany got married to King Charles VIII, causing Brittany to affiliate with France. It seems a stipulation of this strategic marriage was to prevent the imposition of tolls on the Breton routes.
It’s intriguing to note that to this day, that segment of France is without any toll-collecting motorways, possibly tracing its roots to that historical amalgamation.
If and when there’s a formation of a unified Ireland, and the sensitive topic of implementing a toll system on roads needs to be discussed with Dublin, politicians from the northern part of the boundary might gather some ideas from how the French dealt with a similar issue. – Yours sincerely,
TERRY O’FLOINN,
Arith,
France.