Truck drivers in go-slow protest over fuel prices

Dozens of truck drivers converged on Dublin today in a go-slow protest, urging the Government to cut the price of fuel duty.

But Taoiseach Bertie Ahern criticised the hauliers for disrupting the public with their convoy, which they had originally planned to take past Government Buildings but instead drove along the quays.

“They could make their case better than trying to block the streets,” the Taoiseach said.

He said the Government had been working with the hauliers for a long time and trying to assist them, but would not commit to a cut in fuel duty, saying it was a matter for the Minister for Finance.

“There is an international situation with the price of fuel,” he added.

Around 30 hauliers set off this morning from the Monaghan area and drove down to the capital along the M1.

One of the group, Kieran McKenna, said the convoy had been joined by more vehicles as it made its way south in a single lane.

He said the Government must cut the tax on diesel to take the pressure off road hauliers, who were struggling to cope with rising fuel prices.

“We had to do it – they’re only talking about the Budget, and the Budget is too far away, it’s three and a half months away.

“There’s a lot of men gone out of business or sold up, and it’s going to put an awful lot of people out of work.

“Haulage keeps everything moving in this country – it’s a service we provide but we can’t work for nothing,” he said.

A spokesman for the Irish Road Haulage Association said they were not involved in organising the protest, but fully understood why the drivers had taken action.