Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister on reducing motor tax on heavy goods vehicles. As someone who has been involved with haulage over the years, I have been advocating this change for some time. The current levels of motor tax were crippling for Irish hauliers, especially those involved in trade to the Continent. As the Minister will be aware, trucks must pay £10 per day for using the roads in England, which was costing up to £5,500 for some of the double-drive lorries travelling through England to the Continent. This was a crippling cost.

I welcome the move to reduce the tax rate to €900. Given that the rate in England is £900, Irish hauliers will have a badly needed advantage over British hauliers. I also welcome the decision to apply the tax to the truck and trailer, rather than going down the road of dropping one load and then having to go away on trailers and try to bring something in the back door.

The Minister indicated he was examining various options regarding gross design vehicle weight. He should ensure the system remains simple because it is good for the country as it stands. Many people who would never have contemplated buying a lorry will now do so, which will create employment. I commend the Minister on this measure and the measures introduced on diesel in recent years.

Many Irish companies are transporting abnormal or heavy concrete loads to England. This is a significant export trade for companies involved in the concrete business. The permit system for such transport is excessively complicated. For example, a company transporting a load from Galway to Dublin must obtain seven or eight permits. However, a truck arriving in Holyhead can travel to any part of Britain on one permit that lasts for a week. I ask the Minister to examine this issue with a view to simplifying or centralising the process. Making telephone calls to seven or eight different places to obtain permits creates an incredible amount of work for the companies in question. Many firms in Galway, Westmeath, Dublin and elsewhere are exporting large amounts of concrete, which is good for the country. I ask the Minister to address this issue.

Deputy Stanley raised the issue of the test with regard to trailers, lorries and even vans. The system is currently based on the owner's birthday. If a lorry was parked up for four months or six months, the test would be backdated, which means the certificate may only be valid for four or five months. This is not a great system because some operators may have spare capacity and will not use lorries for a while. I have encountered cases where the vehicle is passed for only one or two months.

Tyre regulations require hauliers to do X, Y and Z. Some countries have established a system whereby tyres are shredded and the by-product mixed with tar and used in road construction. These products create a smoother road surface. We should consider this approach and other alternatives to reduce the burden on people seeking to dispose of tyres. Tyre by-products could be useful in the construction of new roads.

I welcome the Bill. Some people are confused by the current position whereby someone who renewed motor tax on a lorry on 21 or 22 October paid €333 for the full year, whereas someone renewing on 7 or 8 October paid the full whack.

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