The Irish Road Haulage Association (I.R.H.A.) have said, "enough is enough" to the new proposals of increased carbon tax.

As President of the Irish Road Haulage Association, Mr Vincent Caulfield said, "I wish to state that any increase in fuel duty under the guise of a carbon tax will not be accepted by the haulage industry.  There is no alternative to transporting large volumes of goods in this country and the Government need to acknowledge that fact. Where the polluter pays; the pollution stays - it is not a long term remedy to carbon emissions for an export dependent country such as ours."

Continuing he said while it suggests principles for calculating the tax, the Commission does not provide a figure for how much a litre of diesel should increase in price. "We need to support existing, viable companies and protect existing jobs. But in many sectors we have totally lost our competitiveness and that has to be addressed." The IRHA has already described the five cent duty increase on fuel which was proposed at the last budget as: “unwelcome, damaging and potentially fatal to small haulage operators."

Commenting further President of  the Irish Road Haulage Association (I.R.H.A.), Mr Vincent Caulfield said: “Hauliers are already struggling to support Irish industry through these difficult times and are now faced with no option but to pass on this unwelcome additional cost”. Continuing he added: “While we acknowledge everyone has a role to play in our economic recovery the I.R.H.A., is gravely concerned that this increase will result in company closures and further unemployment.

Concluding Mr Caulfield said, “Members are already paying higher levels of PRSI, PAYE, insurance and Toll charges. This is hugely disappointing news for our industry; an industry which is critical to the revival of our economy given our country’s dependence on road transport for the movement of over 95 per cent of freight.”

For further information please contact: Mr Vincent Caulfield – 086-2541424

President of the Irish Road Haulage Association