Irish plan action day by Patric Cunnane • Irish hauliers
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are planning a day of action in protest at low rates and illegal competition—more than 50 trucks will assemble at Port Laoise in the Irish Midlands and drive in convoy to Dublin on a date yet to be decided.
Hauliers meeting at the Irish Road Haulage Association's annual conference in Galway over Easter unanimously passed a motion calling for the action. IRHA deputy vice president and Mid-west executive member, Sean Murtagh, told delegates the protest would be carried out in a responsible manner with vehicles assembling on a Sunday and working in co-operation with the Gardai.
One delegate, who suggested that hauliers should keep their trucks at home for a day instead, received little support: "The public would be absolutely delighted if we stayed at home for a day," argued another delegate. "They know we would be back tomorrow."
Even before they take action, Irish hauliers will have something to celebrate. In an exclusive interview with CM, conference guest speaker Joe Jacob, Minister of State at Ireland's Department of Public Enterprise, said he plans to revive last year's postponed Road Transport Bill, which includes a clause to introduce consignor liability for overloads: "It's within my compass to ensure the bill is passed into law this year." Ell Companies that hire-in transport services are being targeted by Irish transport department inspectors in a crackdown on unlicensed haulage in the Republic. Transport buyers have been warned not to employ carriers who cannot show a current road freight carrier's licence and evidence that the vehicle is properly plated.
There are penalties of up to £1,000 for hiring illegal hauliers who carry goods for hire or reward on vehicles over 2.5 tonnes unladen. The IRHA estimates that 20% of Irish haulage are unlicensed.