'If hauliers want to take to roads again and block things down, they will do so out of desperation'

Protesters on O'Connell Street in Dublin during teh fuel protests in April. File picture

Further fuel protests are inevitable if the Government presses ahead with plans to end temporary fuel supports, according to a spokesperson for the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA).

It comes ahead of the planned withdrawal on August 31 of temporary measures introduced to offset high energy costs, including excise reductions on petrol, diesel and green diesel.

Earlier this year, protests over rising fuel prices caused widespread disruption across the country.

The measures were introduced in response to the oil price shock following the US attack on Iran. According to AA Ireland, the Government’s decision to cut excise rates on fuels has seen temporary reductions of 27c per litre on petrol and 32c on diesel.

However, from September 1, there will be a phased restoration of these excise rates, adding 9c to petrol and 10c to diesel.

Fuels for Ireland also called on the Government to postpone the planned increase in fuel excise duties, warning that diesel prices could exceed €2 per litre.

A Cork spokesperson for the Irish Road Haulage Association told the Irish Examiner that winding down the current fuel supports will cause great difficulty within the transport community.

The spokesperson said: “Our preference is for sitting around the table with government ministers. We are meeting with minister Darragh O'Brien this week.

“But the essence of it is we can't hold back the tide of protests at every time.

“At the moment it feels like our fingers are in the dam. That if hauliers want to take to the roads again and block things down, they will do so out of desperation.

“The fuel cost issue is on top of 10 other issues that have been boiling in the background over the last couple of years: Increased tolls every year, higher insurance costs, higher RSA costs, higher testing costs.

"A lack of drivers, which is primarily driven by issues with RSA and testing. All that kind of stuff is crippling the industry.” 

Irish Road Haulage Association president Ger Hyland. File picture

IRHA president Ger Hyland said its annual conference in September arrives at a watershed moment for the transport industry.

He cautioned that Government plans to unwind fuel supports risk placing unsustainable pressures on hauliers already facing escalating costs.

“Hauliers are once again dealing with rising fuel prices at a time when operating costs remain exceptionally high," said Mr Hyland.

"We believe now is not the time to withdraw fuel supports and that message will be delivered directly to government during our conference.” 

 Mr Hyland appealed to the government to listen to the transport sector and delay any unwinding of the supports until a more stable peace is achieved in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Independent Ireland leader and Cork TD Michael Collins said the planned September fuel tax hike should be scrapped immediately.

“The Government has the ability to stop this. Do the right thing and cancel the September fuel increase.

“If it takes the Dáil to be recalled early, then that is what has to be done. Irish people are struggling as it is and have been taxed enough.”