The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has warned diesel prices are likely to reach and surpass €2 per litre, and is urging the Government to introduce temporary supports for operators.

The group said escalating tensions in the Middle East will almost certainly push pump prices beyond the €2 mark, increasing costs across groceries, construction materials and transport, with particular pressure on rural and small businesses. According to the IRHA, this will drive inflation and hit hard pressed consumers where it hurts.

Hauliers are calling on government to temporarily suspend some of the taxes, charges and levies on our fuel prices, until the situation in the Middle East is resolved.

IRHA President Ger Hyland said most of the pump price of diesel is made up of Government-imposed excise duties, carbon taxes, VAT and other levies.

The association is calling for temporary relief on fuel excise and related charges to offset what it describes as a looming affordability challenge for the wider economy.

Mr Hyland said hauliers may require a scheme similar to the Licensed Haulage Emergency Support Scheme (LHESS), introduced in 2022, which provided supports for hauliers following surging fuel costs in the wake of the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

The IRHA said it is monitoring developments in the Strait of Hormuz alongside European counterparts, warning that any further disruption could have a significant impact on Irish fuel prices.

Ger Hyland added: “Everything you buy — groceries, furniture, clothes and building materials — arrives by truck. If our fuel costs rise significantly, the price of those goods will increase.”

He added: “You are going to see higher prices because of this conflict. Government needs to act now and implement a support scheme.”

Mr Hyland said comments made by an Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, appeared somewhat out of touch. The Taoiseach had stated there is no justification for rising prices at the pumps, noting that most Irish oil comes from the North Sea and emphasizing that price gouging is not acceptable. Hyland suggested that if the Taoiseach was filling his own car every day with diesel, he might be more aware that pump prices have already risen, and Hyland questioned what Micheál Martin and his government plans to do about it.

Hauliers have today written to Tánaiste, and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris seeking support.