At the time of going to press on Wednesday it was unclear whether the planned strike by workers at the Watergrasshill tool booth on the Cork to Dublin motorway would go ahead.

Management were in meetings and unavailable to advise on the up-to-date situation. Union officials representing some workers were also unavailable.

Some 25 members of staff including operators, technicians and supervisors are in dispute over pay and working conditions with their employer, The Intolligent Ltd. They say they are being paid less than employees in other toll plazas around the country.

TEEU representative Pat Guilfoyle said earlier in the week that the workers hadn’t had a raise since 2007 and were currently earning just slightly above the minimum wage. And he said the company had not taken up an invitation to attend discussions at the Labour Relations Commission.

The company meanwhile issued a statement assuring toll plaza users that, should the strike go ahead, the road will remain open.