Hauliers are at war with new Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien for not yet delivering "promised" compensation for the closure of Holyhead port, writes Sarah McGuinness.

Damage from Storm Darragh shut the Stena Line-owned port, a key British entry point for Irish business, as the build-up to Christmas began in earnest on 7 December.

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) said the disruption meant any freight destined for Holyhead or coming from the port had to be diverted elsewhere. This resulted in drastic cost rises - equating to roughly €1,500 per load, it said.

The IHRA wrote to the government at the beginning of January to seek compensation for the increased costs incurred.

While no finalised deal was struck, IRHA president Ger Hyland said the then-Junior Minister for Transport James Lawless indicated the State would provide financial aid.

But almost one month on, a compensation package has not yet been agreed.

Hyland said: "The day before the new government was announced we had a very good meeting with Mr Lawless, who was very engaged in all through the Holyhead chaos. He was willing to do whatever it took to get our industry up and running.

"Minister O'Brien has been Minister for Transport a week and a half at this stage. We haven't heard from him, despite asking for a meeting. He has told us that he will give us a meeting in due course. We feel that that's just not good enough.

"As Minister for Transport, we feel one of his first priorities should have been to the hauliers. We're one of the most important sectors to the economy. If we stop, everything stops."

A spokesman for the IRHA added: "What is particularly galling is that the government wouldn't leave the agriculture sector hanging like this."

Hyland said the haulage industry is under strain on many fronts, citing increased carbon tax, rising toll prices and higher wage bills. He added: "Everything has just gone up. Out industry is not able to shoulder the cost burden [of the Holyhead closure]. We have no fat left on the bones.'"

The IHRA has requested compensation of roughly €30m to €60m for the closure of Holyhead - which remained shut in full until 16 January.

The Department of Transport notified the group that it required further information before it could consider the proposal, which it received by 20 January.

A spokesman for the department said: "This material is being examined and there will be further engagement with IRHA in due course.

A spokesman for O'Brien, who is also Climate, Environment and Energy Minister, said he has spent much time since his appointment dealing with the ramifications of Storm Éowyn. They indicated that he would meet with the IHRA in the near future.

Photo: Darragh O'Brien in 2023. (Pic: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie)