Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I compliment the Irish Road Haulage Association under the stewardship of Ms Murphy both for her lobbying and her proactivity on behalf of truck drivers everywhere. I do not just refer to truck drivers in my constituency because, as a Border constituency, we know the dependency, in particular in the Cooley Peninsula area. We are all aware of the traditional issues that arose when the Border existed previously. I hope we will not get back to seeing Customs and Excise clearance become a reality again.

I am concerned about the analysis of the ESRI report and what Ms Murphy has said about it. My question is for both the Chairman and the witnesses. Other speakers have touched on it. There is clarity on the issue that there is no solution in the truck business for replacing diesel. Is there a need for us as a committee to request the ESRI to look at this? The obvious question then is to ask if the ESRI did not consult the association while carrying out its research. That surprises me greatly. Should we refer the document and ask that it would be analysed?

I am new to the committee but I believe the rule is that we do not come back in. I would prefer to ask all the questions in the one act. The association has discussed the shortage of drivers with me. Will the witnesses quantify that as I did not hear a number mentioned?

We are all aware of fuel tourism. Has a costing been done in terms of what the savings could be to the Exchequer if that were not happening and if there was an ability to purchase the product at the right price here? Others have referred to the fact that we are an island country. The same is true for Britain but it has clear access to Europe through the Channel tunnel link. Has a costing been done in terms of the extra cost to road hauliers of getting off the island compared with someone who is connected to the mainland and is any assistance provided in that regard?

Ms Murphy mentioned AdBlue. It is available in all new cars. Is she saying they are as effective as well? They would be looking for parity of esteem should concessions be made to road hauliers because they also have the costs of having bought that type of vehicle.

In terms of trying to be more inventive, I recently discussed congestion with Ms Murphy. Is there some quid pro quothat could be offered to road hauliers in return for what they want to free up movement into cities in particular? I do not have a solution but I am sure the association has thought about this. Congestion has gone beyond a joke.