Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the delegation. One of the more positive outcomes from the joint committee's deliberations related to the fuel rebate. As the previous speaker indicated, if there is a level of engagement from the outset then results can be achieved. Of all the member states of the EU, Ireland is probably one of the most dependent on road haulage for the transportation of goods. In that context, the views of the industry must be heeded.

I and a number of local and foreign road hauliers who are properly licensed and who operate in my constituency are extremely concerned about the illegal activities detected there. I urge the committee to take on board Mr. Gavin's suggestion with regard to investigating what happened at the port of Foynes during the summer which led to its being blocked. The commercial reality for the import and export business at Foynes is one issue but people are uncomfortable about what happened there during the summer. Representatives from Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Road Safety Authority, the port company and the haulage companies and anyone else with an interest in this matter should be brought before the committee in order that we might discover what exactly happened and ensure that there will be no recurrence.