Ms Verona Murphy:

We have had substantial cost increases. The Chairman will have heard me say previously that we do not have a buffer for Brexit. The cost to the sector in the first year of a hard Brexit would be €180 million. Effectively, our proposal means there will be an increase in the fuel rebate but it will only be in line with other EU countries and it will be paid quicker but not necessarily in excess. Our sector contributes more than €5 billion to the economy and percentage-wise our proposal would cost very little to keep the sector viable. Foreign direct investment requires the best possible transport structure, particularly on an island . We are advising the committee that if this proposal is not implemented, we will not have a viable road haulage sector.