Sinn Féin must scrap border tax on Irish hauliers – Murphy

The removal of the Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) levy for vehicles crossing into the north would ease financial pressure for hauliers across Ireland, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Michael Murphy, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, said the HGV levy in the north is an unjust tax that undermines North-South cooperation. He said Sinn Féin must work to remove it.

“Every truck crossing the border from the south must pay up to £10 per day when they pass over the border. With the UK as one of our top export markets, this tax disproportionately affects businesses and hauliers operating on an all-island basis.

“Hauliers who are already paying road tax and insurance are faced with this unnecessary barrier to economic integration. There’s also an added burden to hauliers where failure to pay the tax in advance can result in an on-the-spot fine of £300.

“This levy conflicts with the Irish Government’s huge investment in vital cross-border infrastructure, including €600m for the long-delayed A5 North-West Transport Corridor which will reduce travel time and increase connectivity and investment between Donegal, Tyrone and the rest of the island.

“This levy makes a mockery of cross-border trade and cooperation. At a time when the Irish Government is investing heavily in joint infrastructure through the Shared Ireland Fund that is benefitting communities and hauliers on both sides of the border, this levy penalising cross-border trade is unacceptable. Sinn Féin needs to work to scrap this ridiculous tax immediately.

“Hauliers are the backbone of trade and need every support in a climate where US tariffs will challenge them even further. Sinn Féin must instigate the removal of the HGV levy. Can you imagine the outcry if the Irish Government was to impose such a levy on UK trucks travelling south?

“It’s time for Sinn Féin to come out of hiding and stand up for all-island trade of which hauliers are a driving force. If they are serious about unity and practical North-South alignment, scrapping the HGV levy must be an immediate priority,” concluded Deputy Murphy.