Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, and wish him a very successful 2013. If 2012 is anything to go by, he will certainly make a significant difference in terms of creating jobs, which is a passion close to his heart. This matter relates to job retention as well as job creation. The announcement in the last budget that a rebate structure would be put in place for the road hauliers was great news because fuel costs for them were significant. There were challenges with the North and internationally in terms of the cost of fuel and the Government responded appropriately with a scheme. There was a significant amount of representation by the Irish Road Haulage Association dating back 14 months which led to this very important development.

That said, I would like to see it rolled out to the bus and coach industry which is a significant player in terms of economic development, tourism development and ensuring The Gathering is a success and people get from A to B safely, comfortably and easily. There is no difference between transporting people and goods.

One would suggest that they go hand in hand. Therefore, it makes eminent sense that the scheme that is applicable to the road hauliers, and appropriately and correctly so, should also be mirrored among the coach and bus hire operators. It is a significant industry because thousands of jobs rely on the sector directly and indirectly. These operators have found themselves significantly and economically challenged when tendering for State jobs. For example, school bus runs have been cut to the bone and service providers barely make a living. Recently I spoke to a bus operator who would have earned ¤40 per week if he had won a contract. The sector poses significant challenges but it is an open and shut case. The finance Bill gives us an opportunity to grant equity to the haulage and bus hire industry. I hope that the Minister of State will have good news in this regard.