Haulage chief threatens legal action against RTÉ

The president of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) Jimmy Quinn has temporarily stepped aside from the position and has threatened legal action against RTÉ following a programme on the exploitation of immigrant workers broadcast last night.

The Prime Time Investigatesprogramme featured issues concerning the use of migrant workers in the road haulage industry and other sectors. The programme investigated incidents where workers were being forced to work more hours than the legal limit.

During the programme Mr Quinn was questioned about a Labour Court action taken against him approximately two years ago. It is understood Mr Quinn was not told the item would be discussed prior to being interviewed.

Mr Quinn told The Irish Timestoday: "I consider I have been libelled in the programme and I am consulting with my legal advisors at the moment on pursuing an action against RTÉ.

Mr Quinn said he had been “up front with the media for 15 years” adding: “It would have been a professional courtesy of RTÉ to apprise me beforehand should they wish to pursue that line of questioning”.

IRHA vice president Liam Brewer will take over from Mr Quinn.

In a statement issued this afternoon, the IRHA said it had sought immediate meetings with the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Authority.

“The IRHA will not condone any law-breaking on the part of its members, and will not support action which endanger public safety,” Mr Brewer said.

“As an Association, we’re committed to bringing our industry to the highest levels of professionalism and responsibility.”

The group said it planned to carry out a “line-by-line investigation” of accusations made in the programme against three named haulage companies.

In a statement RTÉ said: "At this point RTÉ has not received any communication from Mr Quinn and therefore cannot comment on the matter. Prime Time fully stands over the programme and its content."

Labour senator Alex White said today the programme revealed a “shocking story of exploitation”

“There can be little doubt that a minority of employers are engaging in the shameful exploitation of workers. What was revealed last night was nothing less than a systematic pattern of failure to pay even the minimum wage, provide contracts of employment, honour tax and PRSI regulations and adhere to safety standards,” he added.