Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Members for their contributions and acknowledge the general welcome for the Bill. Because Deputy Mattie McGrath would not do it, I acknowledge the contribution of the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, who worked very closely with me to deliver the Bill. I acknowledge Deputies across all parties and none who have raised the issue of the anomaly that was there over the last number of years. I acknowledge that it was raised across the political spectrum. The benefits that the Bill will bring for haulage firms are very welcome. I have spoken directly with many of them in my previous role in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and in my current role. I come from a county with a great many haulage firms due to its location in the middle of Ireland. There are many small haulage firms in Tipperary, including those of members of my own extended family. As such, I am aware of the issues that have been affecting people. The potential savings here are very significant and will really help from a competitiveness point of view.

I will address a number of issues. Testing trailers on their birthdays is a matter for the Road Safety Authority, RSA, but I will raise it. I understand the permit and tachograph issues well, as they have been raised with me, but they are for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister, Deputy Donohoe. However, I will discuss them with him as a result of this debate. There is the potential for some work in that regard.

As to when the gross design vehicle weight provision will come into place, a group led by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is working on this matter with the haulage industry with a view to considering changing the situation from an unladen basis to one of gross design vehicle weight. This will bring us into line with the rest of Europe. However, it means there will be a considerable number of amendments to the primary legislation and technical modifications to the national vehicle and driver file. As such, it is unlikely that this will be in place before January 2018, given the significant amount of work required.

The working group is also considering the feasibility of establishing and operating a road user charging system. Given the technological requirements that would underpin such a system, though, it is a more medium to long-term request than a short-term one. From a technological point of view, it would take a great deal of effort. It would be a little too much overkill at the moment.

I was asked about refunds. Arrangements are being made to refund the owners of more than 700 vehicles who paid the high rate in the days after the Court of Appeal's judgment. That work is ongoing.

There was a considerable amount of commentary on the issue of tyres. While that does not relate to this Bill, I will offer some brief comments and encourage Deputies to submit specific questions. Following the 2007 regulations, the tyre industry was told that, if it did not get its act together, a producer responsibility initiative, PRI, model would be put in place, which will now happen. Analysis done following consultation showed a large volume of non-compliance, a lack of consistent data and that between 25% and 50% of waste tyres were not being accounted for. That waste is the main reason we had to introduce a PRI. There is a range of misconceptions about this matter. The idea that there would be a large monopoly is ridiculous because schemes operating on a similar basis can be found in a number of other jurisdictions. Also, operators in other jurisdictions would bring tyres into the Irish market and distant sellers would have the same obligations as everyone else. The most important claim, namely, that there would be an increase in the cost of a tyre, is a myth. We are regularising what is happening and ensuring that the environmental contribution is used.

I am happy to deal with all of these issues. Deputies should ask whatever questions they want in that regard and we will debate them. That the two associations that were a part of this process are no longer engaging in the ongoing work is not helping the situation. I encourage them to return and try to influence the process instead of staying outside.

I thank the Deputies for their co-operation.

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