The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has deferred a decision on protest action over the spiralling cost of fuel.
President Jimmy Quinn last night briefed a meeting of the organisation's national council on developments over the past two weeks.
The meeting was told although there was engagement between hauliers and business organisations on the fuel issue, there was still "a significant rump" of companies that were refusing to acknowledge the problems "and are using hauliers to subsidise their activities".
IRHA president Jimmy Quinn briefed the organisation's national council on developments last night
The IRHA council said it had decided that any further action would therefore be deferred for two weeks to allow for further talks between members and companies "which have yet to engage".
Mr Quinn warned: “Companies who do not engage in a positive way with their hauliers are guilty of corporate vandalism of the worse possible nature.
"The Irish economy is the most truck dependent in Europe, and companies who undermine the stability of the market should be aware of the potential consequences of such behaviour.”
The IRHA said there was "profound disappointment" with the failure by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey to deliver financial aid to the transport sector through a cut in excise duty.
Earlier this month, the IRHA threatened blockades in protest at the rising cost of fuel, which they say is set to drive many of them out of business. Mr Quinn said then there was "a hunger for radical action" among members of the association.
Hauliers across Europe have recently staged blockages over fuel costs.
Last night, Mr Quinn also outlined proposals from the Department to deal with other problems in the sector - particularly over illegal haulage operators in the sector and companies using them.
