M7 to open as protest over wages is resolved

The final stretch of the M7 from Castletown to Nenagh is now expected to open before Christmas.

Ongoing protests by workers over the non-payment of wages deferred the opening of the motorway which was due to start taking traffic from today.

It is understood an agreement has now been reached between the NRA, Laois County Council and the main contractor Bowen Samogue.

The company was seeking extra monies for additional works to the route, but the local authority said it was withholding payments until it received an indemnity bond.

The content of the resolution reached is not yet known, however its believed the workers will get the six weeks' wages owed to them.