Government seeks six month delay in toll hike

The toll plaza on the M8 Motorway near Watergrasshill, Co Cork. Toll receipts are used to cover the cost of maintaining roads, and the planned increase was due to take account of inflation. Picture: Denis Minihane

Planned increases in road tolls will be delayed for six months, if the operators of the roads sign up.

The decision was made by the three Coalition leaders on Monday night and will cost the state at least €12.5m to cover the lost revenue for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the toll road operators.