Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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309. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to provide an update on the request to deliver a financial support package for the Irish road haulage sector, which was initially proposed following the damage caused to the port of Holyhead in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61461/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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As Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Logistics, Rail & Ports, I am committed to supporting the haulage and road freight sector. In recent years my Department has provided targeted short-term financial supports to operators impacted by the sharp increase in the cost of diesel and other operating costs due to the war in Ukraine.

The closure of Holyhead port at the end of 2024 had a significant impact on the haulage industry, who once again demonstrated their resilience and professionalism, sourcing alternative routes and keeping supply chains moving.

In January 2025 the Department of Transport received a letter from industry representatives seeking financial compensation for Irish hauliers impacted by the Holyhead port closure. The Department engaged constructively with the request over the intervening months, working with industry representatives and outlining the additional information required to assess the financial impacts of the closure on hauliers and to consider whether financial support could be provided.

While some information was provided to the Department, it did not provide the level of detail necessary to substantiate the evidence base for the request for support.

Department officials are willing to engage further with the representative bodies should they be in a position to submit the additional documentary evidence needed to assess the request for compensation.