Road hauliers must unite to enact change
None of these are eased by the fact that the government takes a very significant proportion of your premiums. The government take from the diesel fuel we use is also exorbitant.
Almost 80% of all haulage operators in this country do not have any representation at all and is it any wonder that the government and big businesses feel that they have a right to walk all over us?
We are an island nation totally dependant on road haulage for both the importation of goods and raw materials and also for the exportation of manufactured goods and foodstuffs. If you have it, a truck brought it.
Unlike the agriculture, manufacturing and industrial sector, we do not receive one cent in the form of grants or subsidies. Insurance companies are closing down small businesses at the rate of five to ten per week and nobody is crying foul. We are subject to the most stringent rules and regulations, we have a road network on a par with the worst of any of the poorest third world economies, we have motorways and bypasses that are little more than expensive truck and car parks and our repair and maintenance costs are the highest in the world.
The average truck will do six to seven miles on a gallon of diesel that costs (excluding 21% VAT) 2.68.
VAT brings this figure to 3.24 for the dubious privilege of driving a truck six miles on Irish roads.
We hear the never-ending chant from Insurance Companies of "9-11". In New York City, vehicle insurance has not risen one cent since September 11, 2001. Yet here in Ireland, it costs from 6,000 to 10,000 to insure a vehicle comprehensively.
In Holland it would cost 1,800 to have the same insurance.
Many of our colleagues have gone out of business because of crippling insurance costs. In Ireland, haulage costs are generally agreed to represent 5% (and often less) of a company's cost. The same company will itself be making a profit in the region of 25% to 50% and, since the introduction of the euro, their margins are considerably more. Businesses are still paying haulage rates that were considered derisory in 1998, with intimidation and a take-it-or-leave-it attitude being the order of the day.
We are not prepared to lie down any longer. We are calling on all licensed hauliers who have no representation or who feel that they are being badly represented to come to the Gandon Inn outside Portlaoise on August 9 at 8:30 pm with the objective of forming an action group/ committee who will ensure that our grievances are aired and that appropriate action will be taken to safeguard our livelihoods.
Please phone 087-2479971 so that we will have an idea of how many people to expect.
Mick Flynn,
Pallas,
Portlaoise,
Co Laois.
