Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I too thank the delegations for attending the committee today. The points they have made have been raised previously by others who have intervened. There is a common purpose there which is distilled down into a number of issues, namely, about access to proper data and ensuring an upgrading of the book of quantum.

An additional point was made today by the Irish Road Haulage Association, IRHA, and Ms Verona Murphy on access to the Single Market. I understand the cabotage issue and flagging in another country. Does the IRHA have an assessment as to where the political fault lines are in opening up the insurance market for hauliers? Up to 90% of our export goods are moved by road which means hauliers are absolutely vital to the economy. We introduced a set of measures to reduce the motor tax element in budget 2016. It seems now, however, that has been wiped out because of increased insurance costs.

I would like to get an idea as to how Irish hauliers are interfacing with European hauliers in opening up the market. For instance, Aviva is an international insurance house. If it can operate in the Irish market and other member states, I cannot see why there cannot be a greater degree of flexibility across boundaries, particularly as we have a Single Market and free movement of goods and services. What does the IRHA perceive to be the blockage to that?

The Minister has set up the cost of insurance working group. Has he invited the IRHA to discuss these issues which we are dealing with today? If so, have these points been made to him and the working group?