Plans to build a motorway from Limerick to Cork have been postponed.

The National Roads Authority had suggested the motorway would shave half an hour off journey times between the two cities.

It would also bypass a number of accident black spots and remove congestion in towns like Mallow, Buttevant and Charleville.

However, the Irish Independent reports the Transport Minister Pascal Donohoe has postponed plans for the €1bn project due to a lack of funding.