Nolan addresses Irish Road Hauliers Association Conference

Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has urged Government to “act quickly and comprehensively” to the concerns outlined by the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) at its annual Conference in the Salthill Hotel, Galway which took place over the weekend.

Deputy Nolan, who was invited to make a speech at the event acknowledged that Government supports such as the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme and actions taken during Brexit, COVID-19 and following the illegal invasion of Ukraine were of significant help to the sector.

However, she also asked those attending, which included Minister Hildegard Naughten, “why it always appears to take a crisis to develop before such significant interventions occur.” The Offaly TD stressed that hauliers are on the road 24/7 and 52 weeks of the year and intermittent supports while welcome are not ideal in terms of meeting the core needs of the sector.

Deputy Nolan’s remarks come as the association warns of a dramatic driver shortage which is likely to significantly disrupt or delay the supply of goods in the lead up to the Christmas period:

“By the association own reckoning about 4,000 additional drivers need to be recruited over the next five years if the stability and maintenance of this critical transport sector is to be achieved. That is a task that Government must work on resolving immediately before the sector grinds to a halt,” said Deputy Nolan.

“We also need urgent action on the cost to hauliers of using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). A rebate to offset these costs should form part of the ongoing budget negotiations.”

“In terms of the impact of toll fees on hauliers; I made it clear that I highlighted this issue with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in April and that it is simply not sustainable for costs in the region €72,792 per day with some large haulage companies paying €20,000 a month, to be maintained.”

“What I would say to Government is that while I will continue to engage constructively with everyone who wants to protect the haulage and freight sectors, I will not do so uncritically.”

“I recognise the enormous value hauliers bring to our economy in terms of being the life line for retail and so much more. But I also believe that we have yet to see the kind of pragmatic commitment from Governments that we really need to allow the sector to not merely survive, but thrive,” concluded Deputy Nolan.