Truckers threaten protests over increased costs

Irish hauliers have threatened protest action in the form of road blockades, to express their anger at the Government's 12% road tax increase and the budget increase in diesel.

Members of the Road Haulage Association will be meeting with Minister Martin Cullen tomorrow to demand immediate action to alleviate the costs affecting their members.

President of the Association, Sean Delaney from Cork, has said that costs are driving truckers out of business.

Mr Delaney said: "We lost about 20 to 25 members this year that went out of business between insurance and diesel.

"Diesel has risen from 46p a litre up to 73 cents at the moment, I cant see how they're justifying it.

"I think we have to take a stand this time, if I don't get something positive tomorrow we'll be in the streets."