Labour TD for Kildare South, Mark Wall, has condemned plans to raise toll fares from January, arguing they would hit commuters already under severe financial pressure. He pointed to TII's plan and said users of the Dublin Tunnel face a weekly €5 increase, urging the Government to block the hikes.

Deputy Wall said: "It beggars belief that the TII would be increasing fares when the cost of commuting is already through the roof. Anyone using Dublin Tunnel will see a weekly increase of €5 alone, money that families simply do not have spare.

"The increases announced are absolutely unfair for commuters and Government must intervene to stop the charges coming in. "Whether it's the cost of fuel, the cost of food or the cost of heating homes, working people are absolutely cornered. It's too much to ask people.

"For years I've been calling on Government to provide for better access to public transport – earlier train times, more frequent services. As more and more people are being pushed unnecessarily back into the office, our transport system simply hasn't kept pace.

"Living in Dublin or other major cities has become utterly unaffordable pushing more and more people into a longer commute. Increasing toll fares in this context beggars belief.

"This will be a bitter bill to swallow for commuters. There's no justification for these increases at this time. Minister O'Brien needs to step up and protect commuters."