Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As a resident and representative of a constituency that straddles the Border, I am very conscious of the impact of the significant differential between the taxation which applies to heavy goods vehicles north of the Border as against that in my constituency and this jurisdiction. It is critically important that a level playing field is created or as near as such as is achievable. That is very important because the sector in this jurisdiction has taken a significant hit in recent years. A number of companies have either gone out of operation or are on the verge of facing a conclusion of their activities. That is having a knock-on, serious impact on employment across the sector. The move to a more environmentally aware way of deciding the tax payable on any vehicle has long been argued for. It has perhaps been a victim of its own success in terms of newer cars which are contributing less and less - allegedly - to air pollution. At least that is what the manufacturers have claimed until recent times. It is a big area which needs to be addressed more comprehensively than this financial resolution will allow. However, I have no hesitation in saying it is absolutely essential that a more level playing field be created south of the Border for hauliers who have had to face difficult economic circumstances in the continuation of their businesses and their ability to compete with hauliers north of the Border and in Britain. I hope this measure will make a critical difference in ensuring the viability of hauliers here and that they will have the opportunity not only to sustain their current operations but also to expand them into the future. I record my support for the resolution.

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