O'Malley suggests opening M50 tolls for a week

A Progressive Democrat deputy has written to the Ministers for Finance and Transport, asking them to consider opening the M50 toll bridge for a week.

Fiona O'Malley said: "If - and I stress if - the Government is contemplating buying out the West-Link toll plaza at an estimated cost of around €1 billion, it would be a good idea to try buying it out for a week," she said.

The move would cost the Government an estimated €1.2 million. Ms O'Malley said the experiment should be tried during the autumn when traffic levels were normal.

"National Toll Roads has consistently claimed that the M50 toll is not to blame. Others have disagreed. If the Government was to cover the costs for seven days, we would know once and for all if this is the case," she said.