Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Commissioner. Ms Bulc noted that she is from a large country which subsequently became a smaller one. That political experience will serve her well and will be for the good of Europe in the context of the Brexit negotiations.

Every time there are changes in climate agreements, the transport sector immediately experiences the greatest hit. For how long can that continue to be the case? Soon cars will be stripped down to something that no longer resembles what they used to be. In the case of motor cars, we have good tax incentives in place in this country, but until we get the heavier goods vehicle to adjust to cleaner energy use, we will not succeed in meeting our targets. Some EU countries, most notably Germany, are very dependent on the automobile industry. We are talking about getting rid of the diesel engine altogether. Brexit, in whatever form it takes, will impact on Germany's exports, Britain being a major importer of luxury cars. Will compensation measures be put in place for those companies? Such compensation has been provided in the past for the agriculture and food sector. The ending of the sugar beet industry, for instance, saw compensation being awarded to some manufacturers. Does the Commissioner envisage the same happening in respect of the motor trade, whereby there would be compensation for loss of business?

What is the status of the major EU infrastructural initiatives such as TEN-T? Some three or four years ago, the European Union presented a lovely diagram showing the various infrastructural projects being undertaken across the Union, including in Ireland and Britain. Is all of that work on hold until we know where we stand in regard to future connectivity?