Hauliers threaten protests over fuel price hikes

Irish hauliers have warned of rolling protests blocking key arteries, routes and airports in the coming days.

The warnings come on the back of escalating fuel prices, on top of increased tolls, new charges at Dublin port and a host of other government imposed taxes and charges.

Hauliers have said the situation in the Middle East has highlighted Ireland’s dysfunctional market for fuel, where the government are taking over 65 per cent of the price of a litre of petrol and over 60 per cent of the price of a litre of diesel.

Ireland is also one of a small number of member states in the EU that is charging a carbon tax of 18.74 cent on every litre, which will rise to 26.8 cent by 2030.

Hauliers have accused the government of profiteering on the back of hard pressed motorists, hauliers, and farmers whose livelihoods are being put at risk due to astronomical fuel prices that are rising on a daily basis.

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is calling for a temporary suspension of the carbon tax, a move that is legally possible, and a removal of the M50 toll for all motorists and hauliers.

“When transport costs go up, groceries, clothes, building materials and everything in between goes up in price,” said IRHA president Ger Hyland. “We are on the cusp of serious and sustained protests by the transport industry in Ireland.”

“Crippling fuel costs are just the latest escalating cost to follow higher tolls, new charges at Dublin Port and a host of other taxes and charges that this government has imposed on small business across rural Ireland.

“Government are asleep at the wheel and not listening to the people who put them in power,” he added.