Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
1618. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will replace the current commercial motor tax regime with a pay-as-you-go road user charge to ensure Irish hauliers pay tax in line with vehicle utilisation. [37280/13]
View answer1619. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will levy all non-Irish hauliers with a daily charge Eurovignette of €10 per day which will generate up to €13.5 million for the Exchequer. [37281/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1618 and 1619 together.
There are no plans at present to introduce a pay-as-you-go road user charge for HGVs in Ireland. Such a decision would have cross-Governmental implications and could only be taken after extensive consideration. However, the National Roads Authority has carried out preliminary work on the issue of HGV road charging, detailing the options available given that there are a number of European Directives in this area; the international experience and trends on road user charging; and the issues that will need to be considered in an Irish context. I recently received this report and am currently considering it and the appropriate follow up actions to be taken if it is decided there is merit in this proposal.
