Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Gavin for his presentation. I had tabled questions on this issue and the Minister acknowledged at Question Time this morning that there was a crisis. It is not just the 1948 Act but this is also breaking the spirt of the Good Friday Agreement, an agreement for mutual co-operation, and the Minister indicated that he was worried about it. There is no mechanism in place in the North for the PSNI to deal with this issue or collect the levy. Sinn Féin has tabled a motion in the Assembly. While it may be in place, I do not see how the charge can be imposed and it is extremely worrying that 10% of the haulage fleet has relocated. When I questioned the Minister on the issue this morning, he acknowledged that hauliers had registered and would register their vehicles in the North. This significant loss of revenue must be addressed and the Minister must find a mechanism to deal with it.

Will Mr. Gavin elaborate on the tachograph and the implications of the way it is used in the United Kingdom as compared to the Republic? Attempts have been made to exclude certain roads in the North, but that does not address the core problem. The ports are also an issue. Even when one unloads the carriage, if a vehicle is picked up, the haulier faces a levy. This will have a major effect on transport in this jurisdiction. The Minister has indicated that he has been considering a number of ideas, including a change in motor tax, but I would like to hear Mr. Gavin's opinion on whether this is a workable solution. It was also indicated that cabotage or other new mechanisms were under consideration. If the numbers indicated by Mr. Gavin register in the North, that will be a major issue in terms of where we go from there.

Mr. Gavin has mentioned that under the provisions of the Single European Act, there are no borders. Could we make a case that these impositions on hauliers are in breach of the principle of fair play across borders? The Minister has indicated that most European countries are opposed to what the United Kingdom is doing. Can Mr. Gain suggest other means by which the members of the joint committee can help, other than by raising the issue with the Minister?