The Taoiseach yesterday ruled out the introduction of measures to alleviate difficulties being experienced by Irish hauliers before the Budget.
Mr Ahern said no group could be dealt with in isolation, and the next Budget could not be written in September. Excise and taxation matters could only be discussed in terms of the next Budget, "and we will have to wait and see what the decisions will be on Budget day," he said. Mr Ahern said he had had what he described as constructive discussions with the hauliers and he understood their legitimate complaints about the effects of inflation and competition on their industry.
But while these were legitimate concerns, the hauliers were part of the social contract and would have to conduct their business with the Government accordingly.
"We fully understand their position and we have said that in the process of social partnership we have given a full commitment to all the social partners that in the context of the Budget we would have detailed discussions on the inflationary aspects and we are committed to that. I think they [the hauliers] will enter into those discussions. They will give us their submissions and ideas.
"But we can take nobody in isolation. If you were to take anyone out of the pack in isolation, it would be totally unfair and unreasonable. It would probably be impossible anyway."
He added: "In the short term, there is nothing we can do on excise and taxes. We have to wait and see what the decisions will be on Budget day. We have had constructive discussions, and they know my position. We have told them precisely that you cannot write Budget 2001 in September."
The Taoiseach said the hauliers had very real problems of competition, and it had been indicated to him that a 5p reduction in the cost of fuel was not the issue and would not solve the problem.
"They have many other competitiveness issues which we have to address, and that's what we are going to do. I am very grateful for the very constructive discussions we have had, and needless to say I would like if there was no disruptions at all, but they've explained their position to me. They must meet again on Saturday and I hope we can get into useful dialogue to resolve these issues." Asked if Ireland was in for an autumn of discontent, Mr Ahern said he hoped not, but he anticipated an autumn "of an awful lot of discussion".
Miriam Donohoe, Political Reporter, adds:
The Labour Party last night called on hauliers to defer their day of protest and seek a resolution of their grievance within the social partnership structure.
The party's spokesman on transport, Mr Emmet Stagg, said the hauliers' dispute was with the Government, and the public should not suffer.
While he accepted hauliers were experiencing problems because of the rise in the international price of oil, Mr Stagg said all sectors of society, especially motorists and those with oil-fired home heating, were also having to pay more.
He asked whether the grievance was sufficiently serious to risk delaying emergency services such as fire brigades or ambulances.