Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move recommendation No. 29:

In page 111, between lines 43 and 44, to insert the following:"(c) a person, other than a person referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) who engages in own account haulage, that is a person who does not require a road haulage licence under section 2 of the Road Traffic and Transport Act 2006 but who nonetheless operates a heavy goods vehicle with a maximum permissible gross laden weight of not less than 7.5 tonnes and who engages in the carriage or delivery of his or her own goods in his or her own vehicle, driven by himself or herself or his or her employees,".

These recommendations relate to the proposed rebate scheme. Many of us on both sides of the House have been calling for such a scheme for many years. I am glad some progress is being made in this regard. Naturally, we do not feel the proposed scheme goes far enough. We have particular concerns with regard to the licensing requirement that will govern who is permitted to participate in the scheme. As the Minister of State will be aware, operators in the agrifood sector are exempt from the road transport licensing provisions. It is extremely unfortunate that those who transport food produce for primary manufacturing will not be eligible to benefit from the proposed rebate scheme because they do not need to hold road haulage licences. The 80% of produce that is exported is making a substantial contribution to the national recovery. I think this should be considered seriously. We should also be prepared to cater for people outside the agrifood sector who look after their own deliveries and have their own trucks. I cannot imagine that their exclusion is in line with the spirit of this legislative measure. I hope the Minister of State will look favourably on this proposal.

In addition, my party would like the rebate of 7.5 cent per litre to be increased to 15 cent per litre. Some 15,000 trucks are involved in international deliveries from Ireland on a weekly basis. I estimate that the vast majority of those who drive the trucks source their fuel elsewhere because it is not in their interests to source it here. If it was worth their while to get their fuel here, that would have a net benefit for the economy. Given that 80% of agricultural produce is exported, as I have said, we could make significant gains by trying to ensure those who drive the 15,000 vehicles I have mentioned embrace this scheme and get their fuel here rather than abroad. I think a gain can be made in this regard. I hope the Minister of State will consider these two issues, which can be dealt with and solved quite easily. The positives that will be gained if these recommendations are accepted far outweigh the negative effects of allowing the status quo to continue.