Sinn Féin backs truckers
British government proposals to introduce a `Brit-disc' for road hauliers must be resisted by the Dublin government, says Sinn Feein TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. British Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown has proposed a £7450 annual charge fo a dis allowing passage through British jurisdiction for truckers.
``This disc would be a clear breach of EU freedom of movement regulations and would hit truckers in the 26 Counties hardest of all,'' said Ó Caoláin. ``It is estimated that 80 per cent of truckers from this jurisdiction travel to or pass through the Six Counties and/or Britain. Trade with other EU countries is predominantly by that route. The irish Road Haulage Association has stated that the `Brit-disc' would impose crippling extra costs on the trucking industry, with approximately 16,000 vehicles operating out of this jurisdiction subject to the charge.
``The proposal would be a penalty on Irish cross-border and international trade. It must be strongly resisted by the Dublin Government. I wuill be raising the matter in the Dáil and will be urging the relevant ministers and the Taoiseach to act decisively against the proposal.''
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