• Irish Hauliers cancelled their second day of protests this week following an offer of talks from the government.
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Hauliers mounted a day-long series of slow moving protests on 15 September in support of a claim for a 30% reduction in diesel duty.
Most commuters stayed off the roads and disruption was kept to a minimum.
Officials from all departments dealing with haulage are due to meet today with the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA).
Irish hauliers acknowledge that no reduction will be made in excise duty before the December Budget, but they will seek a rebate on duty paid from now until then, "It's roughly eight weeks to the Budget. Hauliers will keep records of diesel purchased in the interim and we will want rebates from the Revenue Commissioners on what we spend," says 111/14 National Secretary, Ciaran Dowling.
Hauliers have also begun imposing a 10% fuel surcharge on clients this week because of rising diesel costs.
"Such a surcharge would have to he reviewed an an ongoing basis between a haulier and client," says Dowling. "It could range from 1% to 20% depending on the volatility of oil prices."
Most Irish hauliers who are not members of the INA have adopted a wait-and-see position on further protests.