Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

601. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to protect the Irish haulage industry in view of the fact that it cannot compete with comparable costs elsewhere; and if restructuring in the tax system is required. [38122/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I recognise the important role of the haulage sector in the economy and I appreciate the difficulties arising in the current climate.  I have met with industry representative organisations and I will be available in the coming months for further meetings.  

My Department has worked on a number of measures in support of the haulage sector and will continue to do so.  The Road Transport Act 2011 substantially increased penalties for illegal hauliers and for consignors who use them, up to €500,000 and three years in prison, addressing industry concerns regarding unfair competition from unlicensed hauliers.  My Department was instrumental in putting in place the diesel rebate for licensed road transport operators that came into effect from July 2013.

To enhance services for operators, my Department introduced an online facility in April of this year allowing applicants to apply for licences online and enabling licence holders to manage details of their licences at their convenience.

Road safety is obviously an important concern for the haulage sector.  The system for the roadworthiness testing of commercial vehicles has recently undergone substantial reform and modernisation.  This will lead to an improvement in the safety of commercial vehicles, thereby enhancing the reputation of the Irish haulage industry. 

  In relation to HGV road tax, an Interdepartmental Group was established in February of this year to assess the implications of introducing a pay-as-you-go road tax system for HGVs in Ireland, in response to concerns raised by hauliers about the cost of operating here.  The Group comprises representatives from the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Environment, Community and Local Government; and Finance; the National Roads Authority; the Road Safety Authority; An Garda Síochána; and Forfás.  The remit of the Group is to examine the technical, regulatory and economic aspects of any such system.   The Group had expected to finalise its recommendations in the summer of 2014, as previously reported by my predecessor as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

The initial work carried out by the Group has raised additional issues for their consideration, leading to a deferral in the finalisation of their report.  I have given the Group additional time to ensure that the report is as comprehensive as possible.  The Group expects to produce its report before the end of this year.  In the meantime, any reform of the motor tax system is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.