Irish MEP Ciaran Mullooly has called for "urgent reform" of EU road transport regulations to address the "unique challenges" faced by hauliers from island countries.

Speaking in the European Parliament, the Ireland Midlands--North-West MEP said that rules requiring drivers to make three stops within seven days on mainland Europe unfairly impact Irish haulage operators.

He said that, for Irish drivers, the first opportunity to stop is often in France after crossing by ferry.

However, French drivers, by comparison, can begin their three stops in other countries, such as in Germany.

This gives mainland operators a significant advantage by allowing them to cover more ground in the timeframe, Mullooly claimed.

"Irish companies...send their trailers from our island to mainland Europe but face immediate restrictions upon arrival overseas under EU [rules] while mainland operators encounter these regulations only after their first loading or unloading. This disparity costs tens of thousands of euro," the Independent Ireland MEP said.

He also noted cases of Irish drivers being forced to make "unnecessary official stops" before boarding their return ferries to Ireland, sometimes leading to missed ferry departures, causing delays and "creating significant scheduling and financial challenges for Irish hauliers".

"How can we speak about competition in the EU when we impose all these administrative burdens?" he asked.

Mullooly called on EU policymakers to address "these imbalances" during the current legislative mandate, not only for Ireland but also for other EU island countries, namely Malta and Cyprus.

Mullooly has also recently welcomed the incoming Irish government's commitment in the new Programme for Government to oppose the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement.

According to the MEP, the programme states that the new government will work with like-minded EU countries to "stand up for Irish farmers and defend our interests in opposing the current Mercosur trade deal".

While welcoming this position, Mullooly has called on the government to fully explain its stance and outline a clear plan of action.

“I welcome the government’s commitment to opposing this deeply flawed trade deal,” he said.

“However, transparency is essential. The government must explain why it opposes the current deal, how it plans to address its harmful impacts on Irish farmers and rural communities, and what specific steps it will take to block its ratification," Mullooly added.