The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is calling for a root and branch examination of the regulations that are preventing hauliers from recruiting HGV drivers and mechanics from overseas.

IRHA President Ger Hyland told HGVIreland.com that urgent government reforms are needed to address red tape in bringing in drivers and mechanics from overseas.

Hyland said: “The State is imposing different obligations and requirements on licensed hauliers seeking to engage drivers and mechanics from outside Ireland to fill the skills shortage.”

He added: “There is chronic bureaucracy at government department level that is making hiring drivers from abroad almost impossible.”

“As the system is currently operating, there is a complete mismatch between the operation of the licensing exchange programme operated by the Department of Transport/Road Safety Authority, the visa requirements operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Employment Permit Schemes being operated by the Department of Enterprise.”

“Each of these entities apply differing rules, requirements and timescales which are not joined up or operated effectively. Bringing in drivers from abroad can take over a year.”

He concluded: “We would prefer to hire Irish drivers but at this stage, we will take any qualified driver we can get!. It seems wrong that young Irish drivers are moving to Australia and Canada to drive their trucks whilst we are left importing South African drivers into Ireland to meet demand.”