The appeal comes as Ireland’s temporary fuel measures move towards key expiry dates. The enhanced Diesel Rebate Scheme applies to diesel purchased up to 30 June 2026, while wider excise reductions and the reduced NORA levy are due to run until 31 July.
IRHA President Ger Hyland said the reported Middle East peace deal remained volatile and warned that any breakdown could push fuel prices higher again.
“We are strongly advocating that supports are maintained until at least the early autumn. A breakdown of this peace deal could lead to a further spike in fuel prices. We feel it is premature to talk about removing supports from a transport industry that desperately needs them,” Hyland said, according to HGV Ireland.
He added that hauliers would meet Government representatives in the coming days to argue for the extension of existing measures.
The call follows the Government’s fuel support package introduced earlier this year in response to rising energy costs. For diesel, the package reduced excise by a total of 32 cents per litre on a VAT-inclusive basis. It also cut the NORA levy from 2 cents per litre to 0.1 cents until the end of July.
For haulage and coach operators, the package included an enhanced Diesel Rebate Scheme, increasing the maximum repayment from 7.5 cents to 12 cents per litre for diesel bought between 1 January and 30 June 2026.
The Government also introduced the Road Transporters Support Scheme, aimed at licensed hauliers, own-account operators and eligible passenger transport operators. The scheme provides direct payments, with smaller operators receiving higher support per vehicle. Payments for April and May depend on the national average diesel price exceeding €1.90 per litre.
According to the Irish Government, the combined monthly cost of transport-sector supports is estimated at €40 million.
A decision on whether to continue the fuel measures is expected soon. RTÉ reported this week that Tánaiste Simon Harris said he hoped to decide by the end of June whether the supports should be extended.
The IRHA argues that the relief has helped prevent haulage businesses from falling into bankruptcy and has reduced pressure on supply-chain costs. Hyland said hauliers were responsible for moving 99% of the goods people wear, eat and consume, and that the sector needed more time to see whether fuel prices would return to more sustainable levels.
“If this peace plan works, then we may see fuel prices drop to pre-war levels by the end of the year. It makes sense to extend fuel supports until that happens,” he said.
