Ireland’s two trade associations for the haulage industry are calling for talks with the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Alan Kelly to discuss proposed tyre waste management regulations.
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) is calling for talks with Environment Minister, Alan Kelly following revelations that a new levy is set to be introduced, if new waste management regulations go ahead.

IRHA President Verona Murphy, told the Tyre Trade Journal that the association has called for a meeting with the Minister to discuss the proposed scheme.

Ms Murphy said the IRHA wants clarification on the costs of the new levy and has called on the Minister to engage with hauliers on this issue.

News that the IRHA is seeking a meeting with Minister Kelly, follows an announcement by FTA Ireland, that it is has called on the Minister to engage in dialogue with the haulage industry on the implementation of the new tax.

FTA Ireland says that the imposition of an Environmental Management Charge (EMC) (new tax) on truck tyres would simply increase the local cost, thus encouraging users to move their tyre purchasing into Northern Ireland, or Britain, where the EMC would not apply.
Both associations have confirmed that they have had meetings with Repak ELT, the government appointed company to run the scheme.

FTA Ireland, General Manager, Neil McDonnell said Repak would not comment on how much hauliers will be charged to dispose of their tyres, and would neither confirm nor deny speculation that the levy could be as much as €25 per tyre.

The IRHA President was less than impressed with what the association heard at it’s briefing. She said: It’s a stealth tax to go with all the other stealth taxes we pay as our income tax will pay for the enforcement or lack of which ever the case may be.”

“The IRHA is staunchly opposed to this charge being introduced and will continue to lobby to prevent it being introduced in its current guise.”