IRHA’s 43rd AGM & Conference Scheduled to Transform Wexford Town
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), Irelands representative body for licensed road haulage operators, is scheduled to host its AGM and annual conference in Clayton Whites Hotel, Wexford on the 15th and 16th of April. This year the AGM will take place in the home county of the current President Ms Verona Murphy, who is looking forward to welcoming members and sponsors to the event.
The weekend will be sponsored by Wright Insurance Brokers, Wexford, who will host a ‘Marquee on the Quay’ throughout the weekend, in addition to hosting a welcome party in the marquee on Friday night for all associated with the haulage sector. The IRHA’s traditional commercial display will be featured to the picturesque backdrop of the quayside where Mercedes-Benz will be the primary truck sponsor, with additional sponsorship from Rosslare Europort.
President of the IRHA Ms Verona Murphy commented; “We are very much looking forward to hosting our national AGM and conference in Wexford Town this year. While there will be plenty for attendees to see and do during the course of the weekend, there will also be important decisions to be made by the membership in regards to the currently challenging operating conditions within the sector; primarily the unsustainable increase in fleet insurance over the last number of months”.
Ms Murphy continued; “The on-going migrant crisis in Europe, and in particular Calais, is creating untold difficulties for our international fleet with Irish drivers extremely fearful for their lives when travelling through Calais in particular. We are continuously incurring additional cost as a result of this current crisis and meaningful support is needed. It is of the utmost urgency that a stable Government is formed in order to progress such pressing matters”.
Wright Insurance Brokers has a long standing association with the Transport sector and has been providing insurance solutions to the Haulage community for over 30 years. Presently Wright Insurance Brokers handle the insurance requirements of approximately 30% of the sector nationally. Selected as Wexford’s Large Company of the Year in the Wexford Chamber Awards, Wright Insurance Brokers will play a key role in welcoming members of the haulage community to Wexford.
Tony Wright, CEO, Wright Insurance Brokers commented, ‘We are proud to be associated with the Irish Road Haulage Association in what has been a challenging time for the industry. We are also delighted to support the HGV Driver Apprenticeship Programme which has been negotiated by the IRHA with the Government. The aim of this apprenticeship is to promote HGV driving excellence on the road by building a panel of highly skilled drivers in Ireland, ensuring that the Irish economy and business is supported in the future by a professional industry which is crucial for the distribution of our products. We are working closely with the IRHA and our panel of Insurers to secure insurance solutions for drivers who successfully complete the programme.’
In terms of future proofing the industry, the association will be making information available over the 15th and 16th of April on the new HGV driver apprenticeship programme that the IRHA has been awarded by Government. With 95% of freight in Ireland moved via road transport and the licensed haulage industry moving 80% of that freight, implementing effective industry successive plans are vital. With that in mind, the IRHAs new HGV driver apprenticeship programme will commence in September and interested parties are encouraged to attend the IRHA conference and obtain further details.