Fuel supports among main topics of IRHA annual conference

The Irish Road Haulage Association's (IRHA) annual conference focuses on fuel supports, transport regulation, decarbonisation and Ireland's future supply chain on its second day. Thousands of hauliers and transport operators are in Killarney, County Kerry, for the event. This year's conference arrives as the sector struggles with increasing fuel costs, stricter regulations and worries about the competitive future of Irish haulage.

Senior government officials, policymakers and industry leaders will gather for what is expected to be a crucial discussion on the transport sector's future. The IRHA president, Ger Hyland, emphasized that the ministers responsible for transport attending the conference highlights the gravity of the challenges facing the industry.

Hyland urged caution in the removal of fuel supports, warning that it could lead to inflation and exacerbate the cost of living crisis. He highlighted that withdrawing fuel supports now would be detrimental to hauliers already facing mounting expenses. Hyland cautioned that any decision to unwind fuel supports would place unsustainable pressures on hauliers already battling escalating costs, potentially pushing many out of business before Christmas.

Ministers for Transport Darragh O'Brien and Seán Canney, along with Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae, MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan, and MEP Seán Kelly will attend the conference. The IRHA has also organized a display of vintage trucks outside the Gleneagle Hotel to celebrate Ireland's trucking heritage and showcase the latest heavy goods vehicles, trailers and transport technology.