Not value for money -IRHA
AN estimated 90% of truck traffic is avoiding the new Limerick Tunnel, because it is not value for money.
So claims Eoin Gavin, a Bunratty haulier, and newly appointed president of the Irish Road Haulage Association.
“We’re not using the Limerick Tunnel at the moment, because it’s not value for money.
“We have tried to negotiate with Direct Route but they have no incentive to drop their price because their agreement with the NRA means the taxpayer will make up the difference”.
At present, trucks are charged €5.80, which, says Eoin, would need to be dropped by €1.50 to become cheaper than travelling through the city.
“Guys use it the odd time, but 90% still use the Dock Road and the tunnel was built to take heavy traffic out of the city”.
Those engaged in the industry, he added, were not happy paying road tolls on top of road tax.
“We want to see a system introduced that you pay for the days your truck is on the road, some weeks a vehicle could be parked up for three or four days”.
Locally, he said that there has been a slight pick up in manufacturing in Shannon, but the airport is still underperforming.
“We want to be involved in the planning process for the new Lynx Cargo Hub at Shannon airport, because will be a major stakeholders when it is up and running.
“We have a few good fleets in the area at the moment, but we are at risk of losing them is the fuel issue isn’t addressed”.
This was one of five issues he discussed in a recent meeting with Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar.
“The number one problem is the price of fuel, which has gone up by 50% in the past 12 months”.
He told the minister that a tax rebate on fuel needed to be introduced for the sake of the industry and the wider economy.
“At present, hauliers exporting to the continent are buying all of their fuel abroad and the exchequer is losing out.
“We want a tax rebate introduced similar to that in Belgium. This allows hauliers to claim back 8c a litre at the end of the year.
“Last year, a Wexford haulier claimed back €1 million in VAT abroad”.
They are now hoping to secure a meeting with Minister of Finance Michael Noonan.
According to Mr Gavin, the minister recognised that hauliers, who employ about 60,000 in Ireland, are major stakeholders in the export economy.
“The export industry is the strongest part of our economy at the moment and everything that’s exported has to be moved by road.
“A tax rebate would restore confidence in the export market and inspire a bit of confidence in the haulage industry.
“We understand the pressure that the Department of Finance is under, but we estimate it would be worth approximately €80 million to the exchequer”.
“Everyone is losing out, from the guy you’re buying it off on the Dock Road, to the person buying a loaf of bread in the shop”.
Eoin Gavin is originally from Sixmilebridge and his Bunratty- based company employs 13 people.
He will be president of the IRHA for the next two years.
“I want to change the perception that we are just big dirty trucks to something more like knights of the road”.
