Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Senator Barrett has brought forward two very worthwhile amendments. One of the burning questions facing councillors in every local authority is how to budget for road maintenance, fixing of potholes and so on. In looking at the overarching issue of what causes our road infrastructure to break down, Senator Barrett is posing a key question and one to which we should have the answer. If heavy trucks are having a major impact on road infrastructure, it seems logical to consider whether we might devise a scheme based on research that has been carried out elsewhere such that by changing the dynamic of the trucks on our roads we might see a reduced burden on infrastructure. These are issues one hears being discussed at the fireside in a wake house, but we are not getting any answers. Senator Barrett has come forward with a potential solution which would give powers in this regard to the organisation charged with allocating taxpayers' resources for the repair and maintenance of roads. That body should be armed with the research that is available in order that it can find the answers we are seeking.

The Minister referred earlier to the public spending code. That is an excellent document which places responsibility on all Departments and State bodies to engage in more advanced procurement techniques and provide more value for money from taxpayers' contributions. It should be fundamental to this code that there be a mechanism by which bodies can research better ways of doing their business. In this case, that would involve an investigation into what is causing the deterioration of our roads, including national, regional and county roads. If we can find a way, by means of a new tax scheme, of imposing a lesser burden on that infrastructure by incentivising truck owners to purchase vehicles that are less impactful, it is an option that should be considered. There is merit in what Senator Barrett is proposing, as there was in his previous amendment. If we are interested in achieving the objectives of the public spending code across all Departments, this proposal should at least be considered.

It is regrettable that we are proceeding directly from Committee Stage to Report Stage of the Bill, because it does not give an opportunity for the Minister to afford amendments proper consideration. I realise this is being done with the agreement of the House, but it does not allow time for a Minister and his or her officials to go off and think about a useful amendment such as this one and perhaps come back at a later date with an alternative wording or some other variation. Consideration should be given to amendments which would serve the public interest and ensure we get better value for money . In this case, the proposal is to incentivise operators of heavy goods vehicles to have a more efficient fleet.

In regard to the taxation of heavy goods vehicles, I draw the Minister's attention to the situation whereby drivers of vehicles from the Republic are being charged €10 by the Northern Ireland Department for Regional Development each time they cross the Border. This is having a detrimental impact on cross-Border business. I am aware of one company which has let go 300 employees in County Donegal and transferred 100 jobs back to Ashbourne in County Meath. Its drivers were being charged €10 each time they crossed into the North at Lifford and again when they exited at Aughnacloy. That was a €20 charge on their journey east and another €20 on their return trip west, which amounted to a levy of €40 per truck transporting finished goods from Donegal to Ashbourne. I realise this is not related to the Bill we are discussing, but it is an important issue.