The Irish Road Haulage Association has called for the introduction of an "infrastructural levy" in the form of a 2 per cent levy on company profits. The levy would replace road tolls.

The association said the levy would bring in more than €660 million per annum and would allow for the immediate funding of infrastructural projects under all headings, including roads, commuter rail and quality bus services, to a value of €8.5 billion.

The association said it was very concerned about delays in the National Development Plan. It also said it did not believe that infrastructural development should be "borne by the road transport industry alone". Improved infrastructure benefited everyone, it said.

Employers' lobby group IBEC has expressed concern about the UK proposal to introduce a "congestion charge" for heavy vehicles in 2006. It said the charge will create new burdens for companies trading with the UK.