Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Yes, I have. We are working across Government on this. There are certain levers we can pull in the Department of Transport but we need to work with the Department of Finance to see what could be workable while not having any unintended consequences. We have the diesel rebate scheme. Businesses may claim VAT back in respect of petrol or motoring costs. We also have the alternative fuel grant scheme and reduced tolls for alternatively fuelled vehicles. There are a number of schemes. As I am saying all of this, I am very conscious that hauliers do not have an alternative. This is the premise we are all trying to work on. Hauliers are under great pressure in light of the increased price of diesel. We have to support them in some way. This is a global problem. Deputy Matthews mentioned the carbon tax. He is correct. The carbon tax has increased the price of petrol and diesel by 2 cent and 2.5 cent, respectively. There are more global forces involved in this, such as exchange rates and the cost of raw materials globally. To come back to the Deputy's point, we are looking at solutions that are workable for hauliers. I completely understand the pressure they are under. I am working with the IRHA and the FTAI in respect of the shortage of HGV drivers. I am working with other countries at an official level, through the RSA, to reach licence exchange agreements. A ten-year road haulage strategy is also being developed.

The sector is under a lot of pressure. We know about Brexit, supply chains and the new direct routes to the Continent, for which we are thankful. The sector has adapted and moved. Even today, as part of the Supplementary Estimates, we have to consider the antigen testing regime that must be put in place for hauliers going to France. The sector adapted and was flexible and safe in managing the risk from Covid pandemic. It has had a really difficult 20 months. I appreciate the pressures it is under. I am working with colleagues in that regard.