Irish Road Haulage, Transport & Commercial Vehicle News

Ireland’s Leading News & Information Hub for the Road Haulage Industry

Author: John Loughran

Ireland must be part of EU dialogue on truck decarbonisation

The International Road Transport Union (IRU) and Transport & Environment (T&E) are calling on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to launch a strategic dialogue on heavy-duty vehicle decarbonisation. For Ireland, where road freight remains overwhelmingly dependent on diesel, the outcome could have major implications for hauliers, fleet operators...

Hauliers need 12 cent diesel rebate certainty beyond end of year

Ireland’s hauliers need a firm commitment that the enhanced 12 cent per litre diesel rebate will continue beyond the end of 2026. The Government’s decision to retain the enhanced rebate until 31 December 2026 has provided some welcome relief to operators battling high diesel and operating costs. But another short-term...

RTSS applicants warned: Update details by Monday or face rejection

Hauliers and road transport operators who have been asked to provide additional information under the Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS) have been given more time to update their applications – but the deadline is now absolute. The Department of Transport has confirmed that affected applicants have until 12 noon on...

Irish hauliers need more than warm words in Killarney

When Minister for Climate, Environment, Energy and Transport Darragh O’Brien addresses the Irish Road Haulage Association Annual Conference in Killarney this weekend, Ireland’s hauliers will be looking for more than another acknowledgement of the “important role” they play in the economy, writes John Loughran, Managing Editor, HGVIreland.com. They already know...

Minister O’Brien must go to Killarney with answers for Irish hauliers

When Minister for Climate, Environment, Energy and Transport Darragh O’Brien addresses the Irish Road Haulage Association Annual Conference in Killarney this weekend, Ireland’s hauliers will be looking for more than warm words about the importance of the industry. They need answers. More importantly, they need action. The IRHA Annual Conference...

Political heavyweights to hear haulage industry concerns at IRHA Annual Conference

The major challenges facing Ireland’s road haulage industry will be brought directly to Government Ministers, TDs and MEPs when the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) holds its Annual Conference in Killarney on 4th and 5th September. A strong political presence is expected at this year’s conference, providing licensed road haulage...

Conference aims to keep Northern Ireland fleet operators on the straight and narrow

The operation of commercial vehicles is one of the most highly regulated industries in the economy. To help those operating these vehicles in Northern Ireland, Logistics UK’s highly respected annual Transport Manager conference returns to Belfast this autumn, helping operators to stay informed about current regulations, avoid penalties and maintain...

ETS2: don’t penalise hauliers without alternatives

Irish road haulage accepts that transport must play its part in reducing carbon emissions. What the industry cannot accept is being progressively penalised for using diesel when, for many HGV operations, there is still no practical or commercially viable alternative, writes John Loughran. That is the challenge the Government must...

Countdown on to IRHA Annual Conference in Killarney next weekend

The countdown is on to the Irish Road Haulage Association’s Annual Conference and Dinner, which takes place at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney next weekend, Friday and Saturday, 4–5 September. One of the most important events in the Irish road transport calendar, the two-day conference will bring together hauliers, transport...

Register Now for CV WORKSHOP EXPO 2026

Registration is now open for CV WORKSHOP EXPO 2026, Ireland’s leading exhibition for the commercial vehicle maintenance, repair and aftermarket sectors. Taking place at RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, on Saturday and Sunday, 10th–11th October, the CV WORKSHOP EXPO will bring together workshop owners, commercial vehicle technicians, fleet engineers, transport operators, parts...

Commercial Driver Apprenticeship continues to build momentum

Ireland’s Transport Operations and Commercial Driving Apprenticeship Programme is continuing to provide an important new route into the haulage and logistics sector. The two-year “earn while you learn” programme combines full-time employment with academic study through ATU Sligo. Apprentices spend four days a week gaining practical experience with their employer...

European haulage rates rise as fuel costs bite

European road haulage rates increased sharply in the second quarter of 2026 as operators sought to pass rising fuel and operating costs on to customers. The latest IRU/Upply/Transport Intelligence European Road Freight Rate Benchmark shows the contract rate index reaching 148 points, up 7.9 points quarter-on-quarter and 15.2 points year-on-year....

Europe’s HGV driver shortage hits 500,000

Europe’s HGV driver shortage has reached a critical new level, with approximately 502,000 truck-driving positions currently unfilled. But the headline figure may only tell part of the story, as Europe’s ageing driver population points towards an even more serious capacity problem before the end of the decade. The latest IRU...

Enterprise Flex-E-Rent targets fleet digitisation innovation with SureCam partnership  

Enterprise Flex-E-Rent, a leading provider of commercial vehicle hire solutions, has teamed up with SureCam to explore innovation within the marketplace and support its connected fleet strategy. The partnership takes advantage of SureCam’s video-enabled telematics ecosystem, bringing together a growing number of industry specialists – including Peoplesafe and Optimize –...

Diesel Rebate Scheme extended to year-end in boost for hauliers

Irish hauliers have received a welcome boost with confirmation that the Diesel Rebate Scheme (DRS) will remain in place until the end of 2026, providing continued support to transport operators facing high fuel and operating costs. The scheme allows qualifying road haulage and passenger transport operators to reclaim a portion...