'I would be careful about toll increases' - Donohoe

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has added his voice to those opposed to further toll increases for motorists.

Some toll rates for motorways and Dublin Port Tunnel will increase from 2025, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) confirmed last week.

The toll charge changes will come into effect from January.

"I would be very careful about further toll increases," Minister Donohoe said, citing the impact it would have on the cost of living.

"These are the same commuters who are seeing changes in carbon taxation and they have also seen changes and increases in the price of petrol and diesel that are beyond our control," he said.

Last week, Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien said that increases proposed by TTI for motorways and the Dublin Port Tunnel were "far too high".

He appealed for those who are increasing the tolls to "reflect on their proposed increases and not to proceed with them".

Minister Donohoe, who is a former Minister for Transport, said tolls are set independently of Government.

"But anything that further adds to the cost of living at the moment is something I would be very reluctant to see happen," he added.

Mr Donohoe was speaking after updating Cabinet on progress in the National Development Plan, saying that capital expenditure to the end of September was €8.1 billion.