Spending watchdog to investigate Westlink toll contract

The Comptroller and Auditor General is to investigate a contract between the Government and National Toll Roads for the construction of the Westlink bridge in Dublin.

The investigation follows a request from Labour Party TD Roisín Shorthall, who has claimed that motorists are being ripped off while the bridge generates massive profits for the company.

Ms Shorthall said the driving public had paid out €310m to National Toll Roads since the deal was agreed in the late 1980s.

"It's a sweetheart deal for NTR," she said. "They're making massive profits out of the Westlink bridge and I think it represents a complete rip-off of the Irish taxpayer."