Cork truck driver says rising fuel costs 'could close businesses'

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has said that new fuel taxes and toll increases now mean Irish drivers are paying the highest diesel rates in the EU, as a Cork truck driver said the rising costs “could close businesses”.

A series of new fuel taxes and toll charges kicked in on January 1, and IRHA president Ger Hyland said: “Haulage companies are being pushed to the brink, with some already forced out of business, as fuel taxes, increased tolls, new port charges and carbon taxes rise relentlessly.

“That is also driving the cost of potatoes, milk, bread and other supermarket staples that are delivered in the back of a truck.” He added that increasing taxes “disproportionately impacts on rural Ireland”, and said that the transport sector, “underpins every part of the economy”, so loading extra costs onto it damages the entire Irish economy.

Car drivers are now paying approximately €5 more to fill a tank of fuel than this time last year, and €19 more than five years ago following the latest hikes, on top of increased toll charges for all drivers, the IRHA said, adding that some hauliers are already paying up to €250,000 a year in tolls alone.

A spokesperson for the IRHA said it “absolutely accepts that climate change is real and must be addressed. However, a just transition is essential. One industry — transport — cannot be made responsible for carrying the burden of all climate change measures.”

Cork truck driver Kenneth Collins, who is also a Sinn Féin councillor for the north west ward, told The Echo: “From the ordinary person in a car to hauliers, these fuel hikes are going to have an impact.

“There’s going to be a knock-on effect – if you’re a person driving a truck for a company, someone has to pay the extra money, and sadly it’s almost always the consumer. 

"Ireland is an island nation — we would be in trouble if the hauliers went on strike, but between the cost of fuel and tolls it’s difficult.”