OPInIOn

Carbon Tax - IRHA Threatens Protest

It been a long time since there has been a call to protest by the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA). While there is always some section of its membership anxious to take to the streets, issues that are raised to that level can generally can be resolved internally. In a strong statement, IRHA President Eugene Drennan, speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland at the beginning of November, refused to rule out a protest, saying that hauliers were in a very difficult trading situation. He highlighted that the increased costs created by Brexit, managing Covid, along with the driver shortage and the rising cost of fuel and AdBlue were crippling the industry. Serious issues there, for sure. The President pointed directly to some of the larger users of transport who, it seems, are refusing point-blank to negotiate with their carriers. There is also a feeling of being isolated by Government and the Establishment, in general.

From the Government’s point of view, it is unfortunate if this rift is allowed to develop. Government will need support from the various sectors and an autocratic type of approach will not work. The Carbon Budget is entering a 10/20 year plan and if we don’t see some leadership from those in charge of the country, it will be a constant battle between the various sectors.

What the authorities need to realise is that everyone is on board with the need to take urgent action to improve and protect the world we live in. Transport Minister Ryan must start telling people that this is a transport problem, not a transport industry problem. Spats in the media between Green activists and various transport sectors are futile. The argument must be thrown back. Hauliers can only work within the regulations and equipment available to them. There are some restrictions emerging for city and local deliveries, but to be fair, they are being put in place as more environmentally friendly trucks are appearing. There is a cost however, and some assistance and incentives are required.

For long distance haulage and the heavier end of the market, it looks like diesel is going to be around for some time. It is surprising that the Government has not used the grading system of diesel engines to improve emissions. Eamon Ryan and his Transport Ministry colleagues must show some leadership here and be honest about the speed at which some elements of the road haulage sector can be decarbonised.

If the Green Party is to-be taken seriously as a political force it must reduce the expectations of followers. Some of the commentary from contributors in the media - not necessarily Green Party members, I hasten to add - would make you wonder if they are to be taken seriously or just headbangers. Making pronunciations about the economy seems to be in fashion at the moment, but the consequences, as much as they will be necessary, may not be very palatable. When the Government is forced to find an alternative source of tax to replace the revenue received from general motoring activities, how will that be received? Are these people ready to be told that overnight deliveries will be a thing of the past and also that other conveniences that give people some of life’s comforts are likely to be impacted? The road transport industry certainly is.

I hope that the haulage sector will not have to resort to street protests, because the change that is coming for everybody is urgent, but everybody has to share the load.

One welcome development that will improve efficiency and in turn reduce a company’s carbon footprint is new legislation being introduced in Portugal, which sees the reduction of unloading times and improved truck driver conditions at Regional Distribution Centres.

Portugal has existing legislation that bans drivers from carrying out loading and unloading duties. It has now emerged that the legislation goes even further; waiting times for loading or unloading have to be under two hours, while drivers must also have access to a suitable waiting area and sanitary faculties. FENADISMER, Spain’s road transport association, has already called for the same legislation to be implemented in Spain.

Has the Irish Government the vision to introduce these type of measures here?

Text: Sean Murtagh – sean@fleet.ie

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