Carol Nolan: Calls for Higher Fuel Rebate to Protect Hauliers
Carol Nolan pressed the Tánaiste to raise the fuel rebate and provide supports for hauliers, warning of supply chain disruption and economic impact. She argued Ireland's current rebate of 7.5 cent leaves hauliers at a competitive disadvantage compared with France and Belgium and called for incentives to upgrade to Euro 6 engines.
Haulage sector pressures
The deputy told the Tánaiste that the national HEGV fleet, which comprises of 24,000 arctics, does 86% of the movements of goods in our economy and is a vital cog. She said hauliers are encountering difficulties and that she had a recent meeting with the IRHA to discuss these problems.
Fuel rebate shortfall
The deputy highlighted that Ireland's fuel rebate remains at 7.5 cent while France offers 19 cent and Belgium 23.5 cent. She said the rebate should be increased to align with other European countries to avoid disruption to the supply chain and to address the competitive disadvantage faced by Irish hauliers.
Incentives for Euro 6 upgrades
Carol Nolan urged the government to introduce financial incentives and direct supports for hauliers to upgrade to Euro 6 engines. She said those measures are necessary to modernise the fleet and protect the sector's competitiveness.
Government response and economic risks
The Tánaiste acknowledged the shock to energy prices from the invasion of Ukraine and the unanticipated impact following the pandemic, noting effects on households, motorists, farmers, business people and the haulage sector. He said the government is aware of the issue and will give it consideration over the next couple of days, while the deputy warned that urgent action is needed or the economy will be affected.
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Tanaiste, the national HEGV fleet, which comprises of 24,000 arctics, does 86% of the movements of goods in our economy and obviously is a vital cog in our economy. However, there are difficulties that the hauliers are encountering and I had a recent meeting with the IRHA to discuss this. There is a need for the fuel rebate to be increased, like other European countries. For example, in France it is 19 cent, while in Belgium it is 23.5 cent. In Ireland it is still 7.5 cent. We need to ensure that something is done in relation to this to ensure that there is no disruption to the supply chain. In addition, there needs to be incentives and direct supports for the hauliers to upgrade to Euro 6 engines. And again, that requires financial incentives. Our hauliers in Ireland are at a competitive disadvantage compared to the European counterparts. So we need urgent action from government on this issue or it will impact on the economy. Gaurab Maggat. Thanks, Deputy. I think that is something we are going to have to give some thought to. The shock to our economy and to energy prices as a result of the invasion of Ukraine was not anticipated. But it has happened and we have to deal with it. And we are very aware in government of the impact this is going to have on households in terms of higher energy bills for motorists, for farmers, for business people and indeed for the haulage sector. We knew that prices would rise over time, as did they. I don't think anyone anticipated a further shock right after the pandemic and the way it has occurred. And we will have to give that consideration over the next couple of days. It's honest today. It's honest to you
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