The IRHA is the recognised national representative body of the licenced road haulage industry in the Republic of Ireland.

IRHA members operate under Road Haulage Operator Licences issued by the Department of Transport. A Road Haulage Operator’s Licence is required where goods are carried for hire or reward in a vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in excess of 3.5 (metric) tonnes.

The IRHA was founded in 1973 with the purpose of representing and promoting the interests of Ireland’s licenced road haulage industry – on a national and international level. The Association promotes excellence, professionalism and safety in the operation of road transport businesses.

Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture & Gaeltacht

The Association is currently conducting regional branch meetings in order to obtain a mandate from members as to their preferred response to the Government Budget of 2012. The nine regional branch meetings will be completed on the 25^th of January and thereafter there will be a meeting of the national council of the Association held on the 28^th of January to decide on our preferred strategic response.

In the intervening period, the Association has, and will continue, to make representation to the respective Government Departments for acknowledgement of the industry in the form of implementation of the Association’s pre-budget representations. To support our representations on our matters of concern, the Association made a presentation to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture & Gaeltacht on the 17^th of January. You can view a copy of the Associations presentation to the Oireachtas committee via RTE television’s ‘Oireachtas Report’ programme on RTE player:

 A further update will be provided to members after the final regional branch meeting on the 25^th of January as to how we plan to collectively move forward.

Budget 2012

Following the Government Budget announcement on the 6^th of December, the Association and its members were extremely disappointed with the failure to acknowledge the licensed road haulage industry and the contribution the sector makes to the overall economy. The Association’s pre-budget submission was very practical and if our various proposals had of been implemented they would have resulted in a NET gain for the exchequer. Our representation for an essential user fuel rebate for tax compliant, licensed operators was supported by extensive research undertaken by the Association in order to validate the case and it clearly demonstrated where revenue gains could have been made.

In light of the lack of response by Government, the IRHA will be holding nationwide regional branch meetings in early January 2012 to establish the sentiment of members and how the membership wish to collectively proceed. To ensure that your voice is heard, please contact IRHA head-office to establish the date and venue for your regional branch meeting in the New Year.

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IRHA Pre-Budget Submission

The Irish Road Haulage Association, as Ireland’s largest road transport representative body, met with the Department of Finance on the 2nd of November to present and discuss the proposals contained in the Associations pre-budget submission. Despite the road haulage sector contributing greatly to our overall economic recovery via exports, profit margins in the sector remain at their lowest levels ever, with a startling reduction in the overall number of haulage license holders over the last three years.

The IRHA's pre-budget submission has sought to provide the Minister with realistic proposals, which IRHA research suggests, will result in a financial gain to the overall exchequer while simultaneously assisting licensed operators in the sector who at present do not receive any Government subvention. The three items which are covered in detail in our pre-budget submission are an essential user fuel rebate for the licensed, tax compliant haulage sector, the current application of the carbon tax and how it can be adjusted to actually contribute to a reduction in green gas emissions and agricultural fuel. Any member who wishes to view a copy of the position paper can find it located in the members section of this website.

IRHA 39th Annual General Conference

The 39th annual general conference of the Association will take place in the Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty, Co Clare on the 10th of March 2012. Bunratty is the home village of the current President of the Association Eoin Gavin and therefore a very large attendance at the event is expected. Specific details as to the agenda for the weekend will be made available to members shortly. In the intervening period, if any member wishes to register their interest please feel free to contact Catherine in our head-office in Bracetown.

IRHA Preferred Supplier Programme 2011-2012

The Association is pleased to announce it will shortly launch its first 'Preferred Supplier Programme' in order to provide IRHA members with a listing of recommended providers of product and service relative to the road transport industry. The programme will commence in July of this year and will seek to promote company's whom have the most reliable and cost effective product/service for operators in the haulage industry. The completed directory will not be an exhaustive list of every supplier in the country but rather it will be limited to a small number of third parties who will have to pass a rigorous vetting process undertaken by IRHA head-office before inclusion in the directory.

Expressions of interest will be accepted from any provider of product/service to the sector who may chose from the category of 'Corporate Partner' or 'Patron' of the Association. Thereafter the IRHA will undertake the necessary background checks as well as conversing with past clients of the relevant company. Third party company's will be accessed on a first come, first served basis. The initial response to this initiative from the Association has been enthusiastic with a number of entities already committed to the programme for the first twelve months. If you feel that this is something that could be a benefit to your company and you wish to explore the offering further, please contact Jonathan in head-office for details - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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