Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the carbon tax, as the Deputy knows, the Minister for Finance sets policy on tax and excise duties on fuel. The increase this year, which related to the already planned carbon tax, amounts to between 2 cent and 2.5 cent per litre of petrol and diesel. Revenue from any increase in carbon tax is ring-fenced and goes directly towards alleviating negative effects for those who cannot afford increases in the price of energy. I understand the pressures on the sector. I have been engaging with the Irish Road Haulage Association, IRHA, and the Freight Transport Association of Ireland, FTAI, as well as other haulage companies throughout the country to highlight the needs of the sector and to ensure we have a robust supply and do all we can on a cross-government level to address the driver shortage issue. This is not just an Irish issue, as the Deputy knows, but a European and global problem.

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