The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has described surging fuel prices as a “national emergency” and called for more government supports.
They will lay out their case in a meeting with Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien tomorrow morning at 10am to discuss the ongoing impact of escalating fuel prices on the haulage sector.
This meeting follows commitments made by the Minister on March 19th to keep supports under review as the situation in the Middle East unfolded.
According to Ger Hyland, IRHA President,
“While existing supports were welcome, the continued increases in fuel prices have effectively eroded the benefit of those initial supports. The situation facing hauliers has intensified in recent days, with operators now under renewed financial pressure as diesel prices show no signs of stabilisation. This is a national emergency”
“The margin for operators, many of whom are small family-run businesses, is being squeezed to unsustainable levels. Most of our members are operating at a loss and cannot continue to do so indefinitely. This will lead to job losses, higher prices and a fast emerging crisis in Ireland’s transport sector” he said.
The IRHA are calling for further, immediate intervention from Government, to support hauliers given current market conditions. They are also calling for priority status in the event that the Government introduces fuel rationing.
“Without immediate action, the viability of many haulage businesses are at serious risk, with knock-on consequences for the wider economy and supply chain,” Hyland added.
The IRHA said it remains committed to engaging constructively with Government but warned that failure to address the current cost crisis adequately will leave the sector with limited options.
Ger Hyland added:
“Everything you buy — groceries, furniture, clothes and building materials — arrive by truck. As our fuel costs rise significantly, the price of those goods will increase”
“You are going to see higher prices because of this crisis and the Government needs to act now to soften the worst impacts of those price increases.”