Irish hauliers held urgent discussions over the weekend and issued a stark warning to the government, threatening rolling protests that could block major roads, routes, and airports in the coming days, reports Breaking News.
The warnings stem from the growing crisis in the transport industry, which is on the brink of collapse due to soaring fuel prices, increased tolls, new charges at Dublin Port, and a series of other government-imposed taxes and fees.
Hauliers have pointed to the situation in the Middle East as highlighting the flaws in Ireland’s fuel market, where over 65% of the price of petrol and more than 60% of the price of diesel is made up of government taxes. Ireland is also one of the few EU countries that applies a carbon tax on fuel, currently at 18.74 cents per litre, with plans to raise it to 26.8 cents by 2030, reports Breaking News.
Accusing the government of exploiting the hardship of motorists, hauliers, and farmers, who are all struggling with skyrocketing fuel prices, the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is calling for an immediate suspension of the carbon tax, which they argue is legally possible. They are also demanding the removal of the M50 toll for all motorists and hauliers.
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Hauliers have also called for a comprehensive review of Ireland’s fuel tax system, questioning why transport is bearing such a disproportionate share of the burden for climate change measures, reports Breaking News.
IRHA President Ger Hyland criticized the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael government for not reducing the high windfall taxes that are being levied on fuel prices, leaving hauliers and other sectors feeling abandoned. Hyland urged the government to act swiftly to resolve the crisis before ministers leave for global St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
He warned that the ongoing crisis could seriously damage Ireland’s economic success and worsen the cost-of-living crisis. “When transport costs rise, everything else—groceries, clothing, building materials—becomes more expensive,” Hyland said, reports Breaking News.
Hyland made it clear that the transport industry is on the verge of launching sustained protests, with fuel costs being just the latest in a series of rising expenses for small businesses across rural Ireland. He accused the government of being “asleep at the wheel” and failing to listen to the people who put them in power.
He also called for solidarity from motorists and the transport sector, stating, “If our industry were to stop for just 72 hours, supermarket shelves would empty, hospitals would struggle to function, petrol stations would run out of fuel, and small businesses across the country would be forced to close,” reports Breaking News.
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