Up to 80,000 motorists could be affected as toll provider eFlow says its tags are on course to stop working on the M1, M7/M8 and N25.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) say there was a meeting over the issue with the Celtic Roads Group (CRG) yesterday afternoon.

A spokesman for TII explained: “The consumer acts as a clearing house for all the tolling operations so that all tags work everywhere.”

This process is known as interoperability.

“We have to negotiate with the other toll providers to facilitate the transaction. Others like Eazy Pass and E-Trip have been onboard for three years,” he said.

However it is believed that CRG – who control the roads – has not yet signed up to the current offer.

The TII says if the August 31st deadline is missed, it may have to recommend customers go to E-Trip or Eazy Pass.

However this process could have to begin soon in order to migrate customers over to a different provider, a source close to the talks told Newstalk.com.

The CRG says it “regrets” the announcement by eFlow that it will withdraw its tag service their toll plazas.

“We recommend eFlow tag holders carry some cash to deal with this situation. We understand that this action by eFlow will inconvenience many of our customers particularly those who use the eFlow tag service. However, this action is beyond our control”, it adds.

A spokesman for CRG says the group remains ready to negotiate.

The following tolls roads could be affected by the end of August:

• M1 (Gormanston – Monasterboice)
• M7/M8 (Portlaoise – Castletown/Portlaoise – Cullahill)
• N25 (Waterford City Bypass)

This means that eFlow customers who have tag accounts will have to pay with cash or card at these toll plazas as tags may not be recognised.