Foreign hauliers get Garda escorts as they breach EU law, say Irish firms

A number of foreign haulage firms are receiving Garda escorts while they break EU legislation and put Irish drivers and haulage firms out of business, according to the Irish Road Hauliers Association.

At least four haulage companies, from Germany, Holland, Scotland, and the North, have been accused of flouting European cabotage legislation which bans foreign hauliers from doing more than three journeys in a country before leaving.

The firms have been involved in the transportation of parts for wind turbines being imported by Siemens through Foynes Port.

The head of the IRHA, Eoin Galvin, said that, as a result of this law-breaking, aided and abetted by the gardaí, a number of jobs have been lost.

“The gardaí are facilitating them to break the law,” said Mr Galvin. “They shouldn’t even be in the country, as their trucks came in empty, which is in breach of the legislation.”

The legislation, signed in to law by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar in Jan 2012, allows every haulier to perform up to three delivery, or cabotage, operations within a week, starting the day after the unloading of international cargo.

However, the trucks operating from Foynes reportedly entered the State empty and plan on operating here for up to six months.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport, which has been informed of the IRHA concerns, said: “Cabotage requirements are enforced by the gardaí and the RSA.”

A Garda spokesperson said if an allegation was made, they would investigate.

Mr Galvin said the IRHA has written to Limerick gardaí, the Garda traffic corps at Dublin Castle, and Mr Varadkar’s office to express its concerns.

“We have been told by gardaí on the ground that the order to stop the escorts will have to come from above,” said Mr Galvin. “The gardaí simply don’t want to have the hassle of the paperwork.”

At least one haulier who had hoped to benefit from the development of wind farms in the area has been forced to let five drivers go as the work has been given to foreign competitors.

The haulier, who did not want to be named, said: “I don’t have any work on my books and the foreign hauliers have come in here illegally taking the work. They are not paying any tax here and they are being escorted by the gardaí.”

Mr Gavin said: “The only employment benefit will be in the building of wind farms, and at the moment we are missing out.”

A survey by the IRHA estimated the exchequer loses out on €15m of revenue each year by letting foreign vehicles carrying out business in Ireland and avoiding the €4,500 registration fees that Irish hauliers pay.