The Irish Road Haulage Association hosted its 52nd Annual Conference at Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway on September 12th and 13th, 2025. The event as always was a landmark occasion, bringing together members, patrons, and corporate partners from across the haulage industry.
This year’s conference was centred around industry costs, government support for our sector and mounting pressures for sustainability along with all the significant challenges currently facing our industry.
Ger Hyland voiced our concerns on the escalating costs associated with compliance, regulation, delays due to bureaucracy and rising taxes. How, these financial burdens are eroding profit margins and the lack of support from Government for our essential sector.
Our President Ger Hyland took centre stage to address these pressing issues. In a compelling address, Ger emphasized the critical need for government intervention to support the haulage industry, to release the results of the RSA review as it is still not fit for purpose, and to take simple steps to alleviate the bureaucracy that is preventing us from bringing in drivers from South Africa.
Ger Hyland delivered a very clear message for Government, we are the wheels behind every farm, every factory, every small business and supermarket shelf in Ireland. If we fail, Ireland’s economy fails, and it was time for them to wake up to that reality. Ger also highlighted that all too often the haulage industry is treated like the villains in the climate change debate. Our President pointed out that the Haulage industry is ready to reduce carbon emissions in the morning by 90% simply by switching from diesel to HVO fuel, however we need it to make economic sense.
Ger thanked Minister Hildegarde Naughton, Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and acknowledged the Ministers support of the IRHA in her previous role as Minister for State in Transport where she described our sector as of “key strategic importance to the country”.
Minister Hildegarde Naughton has acknowledged that while she served in the Department of Transport in 2022, the challenges facing the haulage sector remain much the same today.
Minister Naughton expressed her gratitude to the sector for its tireless dedication in recent years, recognising the vital role hauliers played in keeping both the economy and the country functioning during times of crisis.
Importantly, she also stressed the need for ongoing collaboration between Government and the industry beyond periods of emergency. Groups such as the IRHA, she noted, continue to play a vital role in shaping the future of transport and freight policy, ensuring that the sector’s voice is central to long-term planning and development.
The conference was attended by patrons and corporate sponsors from all corners of the haulage sector. Members, patrons, and corporate partners engaged in, networking, and knowledge sharing. The event was widely regarded as a success, providing a platform for addressing key issues and forging stronger ties within the industry.
KOTR