Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)

I welcome all of the witnesses here today, and thank them for their very comprehensive briefings. They were very informative.

My first question is to Mr. McPartlan. He mentioned that Fuels for Ireland called for an expert group to be set up. Will its role be advisory? A body has to be set up to regulate the fuels coming in, that is, their quality and blend and ensuring they are up to standard. The reason I say that is that I read an article in The Irish Times last year that stated that one haulage company spent €20,000 repairing damage to an engine. It is becoming a very common problem. Not alone is there that issue, but in my own constituency offices I am hearing more reports that there are issues with the quality of fuel, which is putting another huge financial burden on the haulage companies that are already grappling with carbon tax, toll fees, minimum wage increases for their workers and so many other costs. It just seems unfair. If the expert group does not encompass what our witnesses are calling for, would they support the need for an independent regulatory body to monitor that fuel?

Obviously, the fuel is needed. I agree that we need imports, but it has to be done right. It cannot have unintended consequences or more financial burdens for a sector.