Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will focus on my supplementary questions on the haulage sector. One of the potential significant opportunities with hydrogen is to decarbonise the heavy goods sector. With regard to the current schemes the Minister has in place, I met with the haulage industry in the past couple of days and it points towards a deep frustration within the sector in terms of the engagement with the Minister and the Department to manage the transition. It points to the heavy duty vehicle grant scheme, which was oversubscribed. In the region of 60 lorries were purchased with it which are laid up. Hauliers cannot afford to run them because the price of gas has gone through the roof, as we all know, and compressed natural gas is not covered in the rebate scheme. Where is the sense and logic in terms of that scheme or system? Will the Minister engage with the sector to make it make sense for it?

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