Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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17. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the introduction of a pay as you go motor tax system for the haulage industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47062/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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There are no plans at present to introduce a pay-as-you-go road user charge for HGVs in Ireland.   

As the Deputy will appreciate, such a decision would have cross-Governmental implications and could only be taken after extensive consideration. However, the National Roads Authority has carried out preliminary work on the issue of HGV road charging. This work includes identifying the options available, given that there are a number of European Directives in this area; the international experience and trends on road user charging; and the issues that will need to be considered in an Irish context. 

Following receipt of this report, I met with the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD and we have agreed to establish a cross-Departmental group to consider the matter. The intention is that this group will report in the middle of next year with a recommendation on what direction to pursue based on which we will revert to Government.

I am not seeking to pre-empt the outcome of the group, but if change to a pay-as-you-go road user charge regime is proposed, it is important to state that any changes of such a significant nature will require detailed consideration and a considerable lead in time.