Festive dinner threatened by lack of drivers

ALERT No turkey this Christmas unless we find drivers

- BY OWEN CONLON

HAULIERS are warning that Christmas dinners might be under threat because of a shortage of lorry drivers.

The Irish Road Haulage Association said 4,000 more HGV drivers will be needed over the next five years and the situation is already at a critical tipping point.

IRHA boss Ger Hyland said the problem is jointly caused by a massive backlog in driving tests and bureaucracy preventing more drivers from abroad.

He claimed that unless immediate action is taken, the shortage will lead to higher grocery prices, delayed deliveries and uncertainty that the industry will be able to meet heightened demand this festive season.