Government accused of using M50 as a 'cash cow' after its tolls took €216m in 2025

Eva Osborne

Revenues from tolls on the M50 have nearly doubled since 2015.

M50 Eflow income has risen from €111 million that year to more than €216 million in 2025, an increase of almost 95 per cent.

A further €34 million was collected in the first two months of this year.

Peadar Tóibín of Aontú said the figures raise questions about how the money collected is spent.

Speaking to Newstalk, he said: "This is a road for which the people of Ireland have already paid for significantly in terms of tolls.

"And we believe that Government are using that road now as a cash cow against people who have no alternative to the M50.

"They're actually paying significant tolls for the pleasure of sitting in heavy traffic on a regular basis."

On January 1st this year, the M50 toll increased by 10 cent.

"The Government are complaining about private companies price-gouging people in a cost-of-living crisis," Tóibín said.

"But these figures show that the Government are themselves gouging commuters in terms of the level of tolls that are being paid in this country.

"So, from 2015 to last year, a period of 10 years, the amount collected on the M50 has nearly doubled."