Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know the Minister of State recently had a meeting with the Irish Road Haulage Association on the new pay scales that were introduced last year for the work permits and the general work permit. As an island nation, we must understand that there are certain sectors that require a different train of thought to keep us competitive, if nothing else. We have a HGV sector that primarily deals with taking goods from Ireland to continental Europe. For that, there is a subsistence arrangement in place for drivers. We are now at a base level, with a huge increase on what it previously was, but those roles are more of a critical skills nature than general work permits. If we cannot get our produce out of the country, we cannot trade. If we cannot do so competitively, nobody will trade with us because we will be too expensive. That is something the Minister of State has to consider along with her colleagues in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. It is not just a work permit issue; it is about keeping us competitive.

See this speech in context