Government is abandoning the haulage sector

Independent Offaly TD Carol Nolan has said she fully endorses the assessment of Budget 2025 provided by the Irish Road Haulage Association.

Deputy Nolan was speaking after the IRHA claimed that Budget 2025 announced by Ministers Chambers and Donohoe was “an unmitigated disaster for the licenced haulage sector.”

The IRHA went on to state that the Budget Statement “did nothing for the sector other than to pile on more and more costs on already struggling businesses” and that “the increase in carbon tax per litre of diesel will add an additional €2,536 per year in extra fuel costs per HGV.”:

“The IRHA have insisted that these increases will tip many licensed hauliers over the edge given the already penal level of operating costs that they are facing, and I for one can only agree entirely with this damning judgement,” said Deputy Nolan.

“Time and time again this Government has turned a deaf ear to hauliers just as it has done to hospitality and other sectors. The Budget was an opportunity to turn the page on that approach, but unfortunately the same horror story has been continued with a kind of nihilistic zeal that is utterly baffling.”

“One thing is certain; the number of hauliers carrying out vital supply chain operations will be reduced because of this Budget. That will cripple families and employers and create logistical issues that will continue to mount into the new year and the next Government’s administration,” concluded Deputy Nolan.