Trucking firm threatens nationwide protest over fuel costs

A trucking company based in Mayo and Dublin has threatened to organise a major national protest over the amount of taxation on diesel and petrol.

Hauliers are among a range of groups that have been calling for a reduction in VAT and excise duty on petrol and diesel to offset rising international oil prices.

However, the calls have so far been ignored by the Government

Noel Howey, the owner of Howey Transport, said today that it was only a matter of time before companies start laying off workers due to rising costs.

He said his company's diesel costs had risen by €10,000-a-month in the past year and "we just simply cannot sustain that kind of revenue drag from a company like ours".