Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I second the proposed amendment, which is very important.

I raise the issue of the high cost of road diesel. Tomorrow, the Irish Road Haulage Association will hold a demonstration outside Leinster House and will probably bring the city and the country to their knees. Many road hauliers' businesses are on the line. It is difficult for them to keep going in light of the high cost of road diesel over recent months. That is not taking into account the carbon tax increase that will be in place from next May. I propose the Government examine this issue and provide some form of rebate for road hauliers. The price of diesel affects everybody because it increases the cost of food and the cost of the transport of food, including in regard to exports.

More than any other country, we need road hauliers. Most of our exports and goods in general are trafficked by lorries and road haulage. The industry is a must for this country and is very important. Hauliers would not plan to demonstrate tomorrow were they not feeling the pinch. I ask that the Government introduce some sort of rebate. We did this before in regard to road tax on goods vehicles, which was reduced a number of years ago, and something similar should be done to resolve the predicament faced by these people, who give a great service to this country.

Never before was the cost of transport so competitive. It is a very competitive industry. This will put some hauliers out of business and will, eventually, affect the competitiveness of the entire industry. Will the Leader convey that message to the Government?