2008
Press Release
25 June 2008
Immediate Release
Exporters call for Calm from
Road Haulage Industry
John Whelan, Chief Executive of the Irish Exporters Association (IEA), which represents over 80% of Irish exporting firms, today issued their warning that:
“Goods manufactured in Ireland are under severe competitive pressure on world-wide markets - any disruption to the supply of goods by means of road haulage disputes or blockades will cause irreparable damage to customer retention.”
In the IEA statement, he went on to state:
“The price of a barrel of oil has tripled since 2006 and doubled in the last year alone. While this must spell trouble for the road haulage industry, the bigger picture is that the oil price inflation has hit fuel oil, electricity and gas prices also. Hence, exporters are faced with rising costs on many fronts.”
Mr. Whelan went on to say:
“The way forward is for all parties in the supply chain and responsible Government departments to find an Irish solution to the problem of rapidly rising fuel costs. There is no point copying the Spanish or Portuguese.”
The IEA statement went on to say:
- The IEA acknowledges the important status of the Irish road industry as a significant indigenous employer, providing a critical service to export industry.
- The IEA fully recognises the need for a professional road haulage industry which, it estimates, moves 90% of the value of goods efficiently to export markets.
- The IEA calls for continued dialogue between the professional body for the road haulage industry the RHA and the Department of Transport to review reform of transport taxes and incentives.
- The IEA commits to continuing its dialogue with the RHA.
- The IEA points to a range of fuel efficiency measures which the road haulage industry could be incentivised to adopt, such as:
- Tyre monitoring, low fuel burn tyres, more efficient engine type utilisation.
The IEA Chief Executive, John Whelan, concluded by saying:
“Reform of transport changes and taxes properly constructed and communicated by Government and supply chain service providers, will enable a fair return to all, in these difficult economic circumstances.”
End.
For further information, please contact:
John F. Whelan, Chief Executive, Irish Exporters Association
Mobile: 087 927 1243
Email: jfwhelan@irishexporters.ie
About the Irish Exporters Association (IEA)
The IEA represents the needs of export industry ensuring that the necessary conditions are created and the necessary support is provided to assist companies to maximise their export sales. The IEA draws its membership from every exporting sector, ensuring that the interests of all industries are represented and promoted at the highest level.
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