Truckers may blockade ports over fuel prices

TRUCKERS are considering a nationwide blockade of ports next month to force the Government to act on spiralling fuel costs, it emerged yesterday.

Slow-moving convoys of 1,500 truckers last brought towns and cities to a standstill in September 2000 and cost local economies up to €30 million.

The Irish Road Hauliers Association (IRHA) are now preparing for a blockade of ports which could cause chaos during one of the busiest shipping times of the year.

With world oil prices pushing fuel costs up by 50% on last year, the IRHA has called for the Government to introduce a 14 cent rebate on each litre of dieselto give relief to hauliers.

IRHA spokesman Jimmy Quinn said: “We don’t want to go on strike but the Government won’t pay you any attention in this country until you try a few guerrilla tactics. If it was the publicans or the builders complaining, the Government would bail them out straight away.”

The IRHA is believed to have hired a public relations agency to handle advance media coverage of the stunt, likely to focus on Rosslare and Dublin Port.