Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his comments. The Government’s objective from day one has been to support the haulage industry. It is essential to an island and an exporting economy that we have an efficient and competitive haulage industry that can get our goods to market, as well as transporting imports and other goods around the country. Several measures to support the industry have been introduced, such as increasing the speed limit for trucks on motorways, changes to the weights and measures regime and the fuel rebate. The industry has been very helpful and progressive when it comes to increasing safety standards, whereas other industries like that in principle but not in practice. The haulage industry has always been willing to embrace improvements to working conditions, tachograph times and improvements to safety. I do not want to prejudge the outcome of the report but I look forward to seeing its recommendations.

See this speech in context