Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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154. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is aware that the British government is set to recommence the HGB road user levy from 1 August 2023; if he is aware whether there is any concession available with respect to North-South trade; and, if not, if he has engaged with his British counterparts regarding the possibility of exemption with respect to the North-South trade. [26774/23]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The UK HGV road user levy was introduced in 2014, affecting all UK roads including in Northern Ireland. Prior to its introduction, the Irish Government engaged with UK authorities seeking to exempt Northern Ireland from the charge because of the potential impact on cross-border trade. The UK authorities ultimately decided to maintain the levy, with only very minor exemptions for Northern Ireland. The levy was suspended in August 2020 to support the haulage sector during the COVID-19 pandemic – it is now to be reinstated with amendments to align the levy with the environmental performance of a vehicle in support of decarbonisation goals. While it is appreciated that the levy imposes additional costs on Irish hauliers operating across the region, its application is a matter for the UK authorities.