Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his response, which in many ways indicates the point I was making. The pre-budget submission of the Irish haulage industry states that it is extremely disappointed with the amount of alternative fuel that has been made available and does not discern the provision of any viable alternative to them. At the same time, one should recall this is an industry through which 99% of all goods are transported throughout the country and for which fuel costs amount to 30% to 40% of the total. Last year, there was a 5% increase in excise duty, as well as the imposition of a further 5% carbon tax on diesel from 1 July, yet the haulage industry finds it impossible to source alternative fuels. The Minister stated that penetration was 2.2%, most of which is imported, whereas the target is 10%.

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