Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Dooley for raising this important matter. I will not read out a script but I will instead cut straight to the point. We are considering this issue very closely. The Deputy makes a very solid point, particularly about the age of the fleet. Having recently met some coach tour operators, I know the age of the fleet has been increasing because of the cost of fuel in recent years. As the Deputy rightly indicates, hauliers can make a case because of fuel tourism, and fuel can be bought outside the country to make a saving. This is not usually the case with tour operators, although some are involved in activities outside the country. I fully appreciate it is a key export.

Representatives of these hauliers made a point in a submission which I relayed to the Minister for Finance that there are solid economic arguments in extending the relief to this industry as we have with hauliers. We are considering the question and the decision will be for the Minister for Finance. In other parliamentary replies and in my meetings with the groups two weeks ago, it has been indicated that we are considering this issue in the context of the finance Bill, although that is without giving a firm commitment one way or the other. We accept many of the arguments made and the Minister will come to a full decision when he publishes the finance Bill.

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