Hauliers warn economic crisis looming

An economic crisis is facing Ireland unless the Government addresses the soaring cost of fuel, the Irish Road Haulage Association claimed today.

Jimmy Quinn, spokesman for the IRHA, said hauliers, who played a key role in the State’s economy, were suffering due to excessive duty on fuel.

Hauliers from across the country gathered outside Leinster House to protest over the Government increases on fuel.

Mr Quinn said: “We expect to be taken seriously, we take a lead role in this economy.

“The contributing efforts we make are not worth the trouble if the processes are not in place to help the industry."

He added: “The economy has changed radically and we are involved with everything and want to keep it that way.”

“Transport ministers have as much trouble with finance as we have. This is a fiscal issue and it has to be dealt with.”

The association added the low key protest was the opening shot in a long term battle with the Government against over-the-top fuel costs.

Mr Quinn said: “We could have had 1,000 trucks here today, but there is little point in doing that and causing massive disruption to the people of Dublin.”

Several drivers travelled from Cork, Kildare, West Meath, Dublin and the midlands and were joined by supporters outside the Dáil to protest.

The IRHA claimed a 10-fleet haulage operator contributed up to €225,000 to the exchequer before the owner earned a penny.

The association said the haulage industry was paying over €1bn into the Government’s coffers every year, through fuel duty, road tax, and corporation tax.

A survey of IRHA members found average profit net margins of less than 1% in the industry and also showed fuel costs made up 27% of total turnover.

The IRHA added that public support for their cause was growing as many people felt they were in the same boat as the hauliers.

Eamonn Morrissey, IRHA president, said: “Support is difficult to gauge but we know that the motorist is every bit as hard hit as we are.”

Mr Morrissey said fuel prices, which topped €1 per litre in some areas, meant the Government was collecting even more taxes from motorists.

He added: “In reality with the government we have at this point in time, we get up in the morning to work and the minute we get into cars we are being taxed.

“We need a response from ministers that they are going to take this issue seriously and do something about the cost of fuel.”

The IRHA pointed to several areas were the Government had failed to ease the burden of costs on hauliers with duty on fuel doubled since 2001.

He cited the lack of subsidies to aid the industry which contributes millions to the economy and a lack regulations to protect truckers.

The association also pointed to the increasing problem of unlicensed operators, illegally-washed fuel and the abundance of toll roads.