Ms Verona Murphy:

The issue of further consultation with the IRHA was raised by Mr. Collins. I would like to set out the background to this matter so that those watching proceedings are not under the illusion that everything about this process is kosher. The IRHA was visited in 2015 by two representatives of Repak - not of the Department - and something that was supposed to take 30 minutes actually lasted two hours and 15 minutes. The removal of ties and jackets ensued, with the questions that were raised by the IRHA. Those questions were never answered. We were told that they would be back to us; that Repak would return and answer those questions. We actually never heard from Repak again on those questions.

In response to Mr. Collin's assertion here that we must engage, we have engaged but we have not received an answer to the questions we have asked. I am not sure if he is aware of that but our letter was addressed to his colleague, Mr. O'Donoghue, who is sitting beside him. If Mr. O'Donoghue can answer the question on how the €11 is broken down across the things it is supposed to cover, then we may be to further engage.

On behalf of my members, I would like to the public and this committee to understand that ours is a competitive sector. Everything we do is competition based. Once one raises the cost base in Ireland, which is already approximately 30% higher than in the other European countries that have road haulage sectors, one sends companies outside the jurisdiction. They register abroad. The cost to the Exchequer of a truck leaving the jurisdiction is €250,000. Far be it from me to tell them to buy their tyres and pay the €11. The IRHA and its members support a scheme that will help to keep Ireland environmentally-friendly. We all have children and we all understand the need. However, at only 6% of the market, we do not feel that we are in any way responsible.

The charge of €11 was not agreed. The minutes of the meeting indicate that, basically, it was dictated to the people attending that a charge would be agreed and that was it. Anybody here who took part does not agree with the sentiment put forward by Mr. Collins that it was agreed as if we put it forward or those who took part put it forward. This is not as transparent as anybody would think from the statements of Mr. Collins. I do not believe we can support this scheme, although we are prepared to support a scheme. I reiterate the words. It should be well planned, properly executed and, above all, a fair and proportionate scheme that keeps us as an industry competitive so we can support jobs in local and rural Irish areas.