Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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36. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the publishing of a Departmental ten-year strategic plan for the haulage sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20814/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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In December 2022, the Government published Ireland’s Road Haulage Strategy 2022–2031, following two phases of public consultation. It is available on Gov.ie.

The Strategy highlights the importance of the haulage and road freight sector and addresses seven thematic areas of particular relevance to the industry. These are:

1. Brexit, COVID-19 & Crisis Management

2. Sustainability & Decarbonisation

3. Road Infrastructure and Usage Charging

4. Integrated Transport Planning and Intermodal Transport

5. Road Safety & Enforcement

6. The EU Mobility Package and Road Transport Operator Licensing

7. Labour Market & Skills.

The Strategy identifies 39 actions related to these themes. These actions are split into ‘Short-term priorities’ which are expected to be completed in a 2-3 year timeframe and ‘Enablers for Medium- to Long-term progress’ which will ensure the delivery of policy objectives over the full 10 year term of the strategy.

The Strategy also identifies the structures and collaborations required to ensure its delivery, including more regular structured engagement between Government and the haulage and road freight sector, via a newly created Road Freight Forum. This consists of relevant stakeholders from Government Departments, relevant agencies and representatives from the haulage and road freight sector. The first meeting of the Road Freight Forum took place on 23 February 2023 and two further meetings are scheduled in 2023.

A first annual progress report on the implementation of the Strategy during 2023 will be published in early 2024.