Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on his recent meeting with the Irish Road Haulage Association; the proposals he is considering to address the impact of increasing fuel prices on members of the IRHA, the road haulage industry and the wider road transport sector; if he has drawn up contingency plans to address the fallout of potential widespread road and port blockades in response to the spiralling fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29056/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I met with the Irish Road Haulage Association on 19 June in relation to a number of issues, including increasing global oil prices. After that meeting, I relayed their specific concerns to my Cabinet colleagues and on the need in Ireland for a strong and professional haulage industry.

In a positive response to road haulage concerns, an Inter Departmental/Agency Task Force was immediately established at a senior level. This group has met on a regularly and has made progress on a number of measures, particularly in relation to increased enforcement targeting illegal activities of both hauliers and consignors.

The Revenue Commissioners have intensified operations to detect the illegal use of green diesel and laundered fuel in order to protect oil revenues and safeguard the interests of legitimate traders with over 470 detections of illegal fuel in motor vehicles already this year. These operations have been publicised widely in the media over last weekend. In addition, the number of Multi Agency Checkpoints has increased substantially.

The RSA and the Garda are working closely together to ensure that the widest range of checks (on road haulage licensing requirements, as well as tax, insurance, roadworthiness and green diesel) are carried out. In addition, the probity surrounding the issue of road haulage licences is also being examined.

The Garda has significantly stepped up enforcement with activities focused on untaxed fuel, targeted operations against the illegal transportation of waste material and unlicensed haulage activities from quarries. Checks have been intensified on hauliers entering from other jurisdictions without proper documentation and there will be a significant increase in enforcement activity at ports and border crossings. These operations will be publicised by the Garda Press Office.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) launched an advertising campaign on 3 July targeting contractors and sub-contractors and has intensified enforcement activities and multi agency checkpoints.

A number of other issues relating to motor taxation, vehicle standards, biofuels, proposals for increased penalties and fines and better regulation are currently being examined by the Taskforce. The Road Safety Authority also issued a consultation paper on the use of Agricultural Vehicles in road haulage last Friday and comments were invited from the IRHA.

I am also aware that one of key concerns affecting the transport industry is the impact of increasing world oil prices. The price of fuel is being largely driven by external factors and the impact of these increases is being felt by all sectors of the economy, here in Ireland and indeed throughout Europe. I have relayed these concerns to my Cabinet colleagues. The Minister for Finance has already stated that the overall response of the economy to the increase in fuel prices is that as adopted at the recent Ecofin and European Council meetings, that distortionary fiscal and other policy interventions should be avoided as they prevent the necessary adjustments by economic agents.

Finally, with regard to any contingency plans to deal with potential road or port blockades, these are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Justice and the Garda working with other relevant agencies.