Truckers willing to resume talks with Transport Department

The Irish Road Haulage Association has said it is willing to resume talks with the Department of Transport over toll charges on the East Link in Dublin.

Over a hundred truck drivers protested this morning on the quays in the city centre, claiming the Government broke its promise to scrap the toll.

The protestors said they were also demonstrating over concerns they have with heavy-goods-vehicle management in the port tunnel.

Spokesperson for the IRHA Jimmy Quinn said at the protest: “We find ourselves at the eleventh hour with no plan and the tunnel due to open shortly.”

“There are a huge number of issues unresolved and it is typical of the way this has been managed from the start.”

But the IRHA said after the protest that it is now hopeful the demonstration will make a difference in future Government discussions.

It said it hopes that junior Minister Pat “the Cope” Gallagher will come up with solutions satisfactory to both parties.

Mr Quinn said the organisation is now ready to go back into talks and will meet with the junior Minister on an on-going basis.