Mr. David Conway:

Fuel is a huge component of our cost base at present and one that is currently unavoidable. We do not really have another alternative but to use diesel in our vehicles. We adopt the best-in-class in service delivery and green driving to minimise that use. Many features are now fitted in many of our vehicles to reduce idling time and stop-start, similar to what is available in many cars at present. However, fuel makes up approximately 30% of the costs we incur. Where 12 or 14 months ago the cost of fuel was €1.20 per litre, it is more than €2 per litre now. We do not have the option to claim back VAT on our import costs, whereas many other industries can claim at least that portion of their fuel cost back.