Another member of Ireland’s government has spoken out against the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) announcement that some rates will increase effective January 1 for the ten toll facilities on the National Road Network, eight of which are operated by private concession companies.
According to The Irish Times, Paschal Donohoe, the minister responsible for budgeting and policy development, said he disfavors the rate increases for reasons similar to those expresses earlier by the housing minister, Darragh O’Brien. While acknowledging that rate adjustments are made by TII independent of the government, Donohoe said, “I think anything that further adds to the cost of living at the moment is something I’d be very reluctant to see happen.” He noted that commuters are already bearing additional costs due to changes in carbon taxation and fuel prices.