Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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I welcome the witnesses. Based on the information that has been provided, we have spoken to some of the hauliers that are concerned. We have asked them for a report on what is happening and what their concerns and issues are. There was an inspection last week on 17 April 2024 in Cherbourg and it must be pointed out that no animal welfare issues arose during this inspection. These hauliers feel they are being targeted for extra inspections followed by on-the-spot fines and extra costs, as indicated by the emails.

I need to apologise on behalf of Deputy Fitzmaurice, who is unable to be here today and asked me to raise some of these questions. Last Wednesday, on 17 April 2024, one of the Irish trucks was among nine other Irish livestock trucks preparing to board an Irish Ferries sailing from Cherbourg in France to Dublin. When the lorries were a few hundred metres from the boat, they were signalled by officials in yellow high-visibility jackets. The nine Irish livestock trucks were among all the other vehicles waiting to get onto the ferry. The Irish officials seemed to know the trucks they were looking to single out and pointed them out to the French.

It later transpired that three officials who pointed out the trucks to the French authorities were Irish and from the Road Safety Authority, RSA. At no time did these Irish officials identify themselves, despite being asked by some of the drivers, which indicates some bully-boy tactics. It is astonishing to think that Irish officials are on the other side. There were still no animal welfare issues here. On-the-spot fines were handed out to the Irish hauliers, which had to be paid before the drivers were let go. These fines ranged from €1,500 up to €12,500. One haulier alone had to pay €7,500. Again, there were no animal welfare issues here. The fines were for minor offences but they were charged multiple times. For example, for one single infringement that is normally €175, a haulier was done 18 times, which came to €3,150 for that haulier. This had a knock-on effect back home, as the trucks had missed their sailings back to Ireland and, therefore, could not be back to reload livestock to go back to Europe. There was no consideration for animal welfare here.

Another matter to point out is why the Minister for Transport has sent Irish officials from the RSA to a foreign country to penalise Irish trucks, again, where there were no animal welfare penalties, on foreign soil. The fines had to be paid to the French Government so it cost the Irish taxpayer thousands and thousands of euro. The animal welfare guidelines are not in line with the driving regulations; therefore, to ensure the safety and welfare of the animals, drivers have to go over their regulated driving hours. This only happens with calves. Everything else can be done quite legally as regards driving hours. This can be solved by exporters organising another lairage for calves. It means a trip will take one day longer. However, it also means drivers can keep their driving hours right and calves would be in a better condition when getting to the final destination, as they would be more hydrated and healthier.

The Chairman said this is becoming uneconomical. This is a very true fact as to what is happening out there. The haulier is in serious trouble. It is costing him tens of thousands of euro to come back. It is an insane situation to see Irish officials flying to France to dictate to Irish drivers on the French side. That is what it looks like. Some people have power above all. It looks like that is what is happening here. How will we make it fair to the haulier and the animal? As I keep saying, there were no animal welfare issues in respect of this issue. It was basically about infringements on hours. Hauliers are trying to meet the criteria set on this side but this means there are probably infringements on the other side. We do not have an animal welfare issue but a haulier issue. It will make it uneconomical and will end up with these hauliers being unwilling or unable to take these calves abroad. How do the officials think they will manage or work to make sure that this is streamlined? Is there a possibility this can be solved by exporters organising another lairage for calves?