Hauliers threaten protests over Irish emission cuts

Hauliers in Ireland are threatening to hold protests over climate emission cuts to the transport sector.

The Irish Road Haulage Association will hold a members meeting in the next fortnight to discuss protests following controversial emissions recommendations by the Climate Change Advisory Council.

The Association warned that members are already at breaking point with rising fuel costs, driver shortages and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

IRHA president Eugene Drennan said hauliers are deeply concerned about the impact a cut in emissions in the transport sector will have on the sector.

“We are deeply concerned about the emissions cuts. We have been labelled as a sector that is going to get a heavy cut,” said Mr Drennan.

While the level of sectoral cuts are yet to be revealed, he said his members cannot take any more.

“We are caught with something every week and our costs are at the highest level they have been -ever in the history of transport,” he said.

Mr Drennan said the Northern Ireland Protocol, increased carbon tax in the budget and a huge shortage of drivers means “costs are astronomically high”.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr Drennan said he hoped “an olive branch” would be held out by the Government to talk to hauliers.

“We cannot stand alone and take all these hits,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Irish Farmers’ Association has said it also wants dialogue with Government.

IFA president Tim Cullinan said the Carbon Budget will have a serious impact on rural communities – especially if cuts end up around the 21-30% mooted in the media.

“We are hearing consistently from Government that they want to revive rural Ireland. They need to protect the people who are driving the industry in rural Ireland, and that is the farmers,” Mr Cullinan said.

“I am calling on the Taoiseach, and the Tánaiste, at this point in time to sit down with us – the people who represent farmers – and come up with a plan around this in to the future.”