IRISH HAULAGE
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How Irish hauliers are surviving the recession Eleven years ago, in September 2000, Irish hauliers protested against the rising fuel costs that were driving them out of business by the truckload. With convoys of trucks parked up on major roads the government heeded the message spelled out by this show of strength and cut fuel duty.
It was a victory that gave operators some temporary relief.
Earlier this year, momentum was building for a similar protest. In April, at the Irish Road Haulage Association (RHA) annual conference in Limerick, members voted to give the transport minister a week to meet them or they would organise a day of action. The brinksmanship paid off – meetings have taken place and progress is being made (see panel).
Martin Ryan was one of the IRHA members prepared to come out again. The County Limerick haulier took part in the original protest. “We had our trucks parked-up on the ring road. We would do it again if there’s no real progress with the government. Any man in transport feels the same way – there’s no choice,” he says irmly.
Ireland has been in hock to the IMF and Europe since last autumn. The government had previously bailed out the banks, but they have not played fair with small and medium size businesses. “To get a loan the banks demand you meet a set of criteria that if you could meet, you wouldn’t need their help,” says Ryan. He believes small businesses are not getting the help they need and are struggling to deal with the banks.
Fortunately his operation has not needed to go cap in hand to the bank, but with only 1%-2% proit on a €3.5m (£3.07m) turnover, he admits it’s a break-even business. “Diversity,” he muses, “is the key to survival.”