Shane Moynihan urges HVO support for haulage decarbonisation
Shane Moynihan asked the Tánaiste to clarify what government support can be provided for hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a transition fuel for the haulage sector. He argued HVO can cut emissions substantially and can be used in existing diesel engines, offering a practical pathway while electrification remains limited.
Shane Moynihan set out specific questions about HVO: its emissions savings when sustainably sourced, its compatibility with current diesel fleets, and what incentives or supports the government might offer to encourage its use in long-haul heavy goods vehicles.
Moynihan cited evidence that HVO can reduce emissions by up to 65% when sustainably sourced and noted that major manufacturers and several European countries already blend and use HVO in heavy transport. He emphasised the technology works in existing diesel engines without modifications.
The Tánaiste acknowledged the scale of the challenge in decarbonising transport, praised Minister O'Brien's engagement with the Irish Road Haulage Association, and said the issue is being considered. He confirmed Minister O'Brien will respond directly to Deputy Moynihan on next steps.
Moynihan argued HVO offers an immediate, practical option for hauliers facing rising climate compliance costs, allowing emissions reductions without replacing fleets or building new refuelling infrastructure. The exchange frames HVO as part of a broader policy debate over how to support sectors that cannot quickly electrify.
What Moynihan asked
Shane Moynihan set out specific questions about HVO: its emissions savings when sustainably sourced, its compatibility with current diesel fleets, and what incentives or supports the government might offer to encourage its use in long-haul heavy goods vehicles.
Evidence and industry practice
Moynihan cited evidence that HVO can reduce emissions by up to 65% when sustainably sourced and noted that major manufacturers and several European countries already blend and use HVO in heavy transport. He emphasised the technology works in existing diesel engines without modifications.
Government response
The Tánaiste acknowledged the scale of the challenge in decarbonising transport, praised Minister O'Brien's engagement with the Irish Road Haulage Association, and said the issue is being considered. He confirmed Minister O'Brien will respond directly to Deputy Moynihan on next steps.
Implications for hauliers
Moynihan argued HVO offers an immediate, practical option for hauliers facing rising climate compliance costs, allowing emissions reductions without replacing fleets or building new refuelling infrastructure. The exchange frames HVO as part of a broader policy debate over how to support sectors that cannot quickly electrify.
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Transcript
Tánaiste, we all recognise the scale of the challenge facing the transport sector as we work to meet our climate obligations and obviously heavy goods vehicles are among the most difficult parts of that sector to decarbonise. Electrification is progressing but it isn't yet a realistic option for the majority of those long haul operators and it is in that spirit that I want to ask you Tánaiste to clarify what can be done from the government point of view with regard to support for hydro treated vegetable oil or HVO as a transition fuel for the haulage sector. We know that they can reduce emissions by up to 65% when it's sustainably sourced. We know that it works in existing diesel engines with no modifications needed. We know that it's blended with diesel and used in heavy transport in Netherlands, in Finland, in Italy and the UK and that major manufacturers like Volvo, Scania, MAN, Mercedes-Benz use HVO in their engines. We know that hauliers especially face increased climate compliance costs. I think HVO offers an immediate and a practical pathway to lower their emissions without any new vehicles or infrastructure. So I'd welcome an indication from you Tánaiste about steps might be taken to encourage the use of HVO and to assist this sector in its decarbonisation goals. I want to thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this issue. Firstly as the Deputy knows we've worked hard to try and support the haulage section. I want to praise Minister O'Brien for his leadership on that and the engagement we've had with the Irish Road Haulage Association and others and that's right and proper. But your question is also I think really quite important because it is harder for some sectors of society and industry sectors to transition and what they don't need from us in this house is the lecture latitude they get sometimes from the left and the far left, you know we weren't here to do this, from the left and the far left, like they're a crucial part of our supply chain, they're a crucial part of our economy, we need them to work, we need them to function and I think our policies need to get a little bit more sophisticated in recognising that, whether that's incentivising people to be able to make that transition, better support, you know people are good and decent they want to work with us and I think we need to challenge ourselves as to how we can help them make that transition. I think HVO is an important part of that conversation, I know Minister O'Brien is familiar with that and we've had some conversations I know with the sector on that too and on footer you raising it I'll ask him, Minister O'Brien comes back to you directly.