IRHA pleased with Government response on licensing

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has today, the 15th of October, welcomed the continued support from Government for the licensed haulage industry in Ireland by not inflicting any further expense on the sector via increased fuel duty and commercial vehicle road tax.

Commenting after Ministers Noonan’s Budget speech today, President of the IRHA Eoin Gavin stated; “While there remains an urgent need to overhaul commercial vehicle road tax to reflect the unpredictable demands of our sector, we are very pleased that Minister Noonan heard the IRHA’s call to leave fuel duty untouched, as well as not increasing road tax until a review process is undertaken”.

Mr Gavin went on to say “The Association was anxious not to see any fuel duty increase as it would have negated the IRHA’s hard work of last year where we were successful in achieving the Essential User Fuel Rebate for the licensed haulage operator. As regard commercial vehicle road tax, the IRHA is urging the Government to immediately overhaul the commercial road tax regime in-line with our main trading partner; Northern Ireland and the UK. Consequently the industry will be in a stronger position to continue to contribute to our export led economic recovery and the Minister must be commended for his initiative in leaving both fuel duty and motor tax rates untouched”.