Speaking at the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) Annual Conference in Killarney on Saturday night, the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sean Canney praised the IRHA for its important role in shaping transport and freight policy and providing Government with constructive feedback on the challenges facing Irish hauliers.

The Minister highlighted the resilience of the road haulage sector through Covid-19, the temporary closure of Holyhead Port and, more recently, sharply rising fuel costs linked to instability in the Middle East.

He stressed that Government recognises road transport as being of national strategic importance and pointed to the measures introduced to support operators, including the €120 million Road Transporters Support Scheme, reductions in fuel excise and the NORA levy, and the enhanced Diesel Rebate Scheme.

Importantly for hauliers attending the IRHA Annual Conference, the Minister confirmed that fuel excise reductions will remain fully in place until 31 October 2026, saving businesses and consumers around 10 cent per litre on diesel. The reduced NORA levy will also continue until 31 October, while the enhanced Diesel Rebate Scheme has been extended until the end of December 2026.

The Minister acknowledged that major challenges remain, particularly the driver and skills shortage, rising operating costs and the challenge of decarbonising road freight.

He concluded by thanking Ireland’s hauliers for their contribution to the economy and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to continue working collaboratively with the IRHA in addressing the challenges facing the sector.