Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)

Food imports and exports are completely reliant on the haulage industry. Excluding excise duties, there has been a 360% increase in fuel prices over the past five years. Fishermen say that 70% of their turnover is being spent on diesel for their boats, while the corresponding figure for the haulage industry is 50%. Many haulage operators have bought new lorries that are economically efficient and are adding blue liquid solutions to be environmentally compliant. Does the Minister think there is an opportunity to incentivise the haulage industry in some way, perhaps by discounting motor tax? In his response, the Minister will say that we must look at the long-term position but, as Deputies McManus and Coonan have said, there is a short-term crisis because lorry drivers are going out of business every day. What measures can the Minister take to ensure the future of the haulage industry? They will go out of business in the short term, not to mention the long term.

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