The haulage industry has been offered “nothing” in this year’s Budget despite already being under “extreme pressure,” according to hauliers.
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) says that the haulage industry is being “strangled by excessive taxation,” having appealed for rebates in its Budget submission, calling on the government to implement a suite of tax concessions.
President of the IRHA, Ger Hyland, has written to minister for finance Paschal Donohoe appealing for measures which he says are essential for the survival of the haulage industry in crisis. Mr Hyland has said that proposals put forward by the organisation would help bolster Irish supply chains, support transport decarbonisation, and help protect essential jobs in rural Ireland.
“We asked for a fair and practical package to help hauliers survive rising costs and drive decarbonisation. What we got was the bare minimum — simply keeping an existing measure in place. That’s not progress, it’s standing still,” said Hyland.
“Budget 2026 is an abject failure for the Irish haulage industry. This will have knock-on consequences for the Irish economy as more hauliers go out of business. We now have higher diesel and fuel costs with no incentives from government to turn towards green measures and more environmentally friendly fuels.
“A heavy tax burden is making the haulage industry unviable. If the government doesn’t take sensible measures to save our industry, they risk killing off the very engine that keeps this economy moving. We are the wheels on Ireland’s economy. When we stop – Ireland stops.”
The 4 key priorities of the Hauliers for Budget 2026 had been:
The IRHA has highlighted a “severe” driver shortage ahead of the Christmas rush, warning of potential supply chain disruptions, delayed deliveries, and higher prices. The association said that 4,000 additional drivers will be needed to meet demand over the next five years.
The organisation’s annual conference last month heard calls for urgent intervention to assist the sector. Mr Hyland said that the industry was “rapidly reaching a tippy point,” adding: “We cannot get the drivers to keep the trucks tolling.”
He spoke of one Cork haulier who is short 40 drivers and has lorries parked up.
“Every Haulage company in Ireland needs at least 2 extra drivers such is the extent of the problem,” he said.
Speaking to Gript on day two of the Budget, a member of the IRHA and Representative for the South West Munster branch, said: “There’s absolutely nothing in or out of this year’s Budget either for Hauliers and the Irish Haulage industry. Only a new further Carbon Tax, which we knew was coming, slapped on us last night, when the Irish Haulage industry is already under extreme pressure.
“We’re lucky to still have our Essential fuel user Rebate. Everyone wants to be clothed and for there to be food in the shops, along with all the other things especially now in the run-up to Christmas. They want to see schools and hospitals and roads built – but how does this Government expect this to happen when they keep taxing hauliers out of business?”