Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2014
680. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there is any progress to report on the working group considering the establishment of a HGV road charging regime for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26982/14]
View answerI established an Interdepartmental group in January 2014 to assess the implications of introducing a ‘pay-as-you-go’ road tax system for Heavy Goods Vehicles, in response to concerns raised by hauliers about the cost running a haulage operation in Ireland. This group is examining the technical, regulatory and economic dimensions of introducing a pay-as-you-go charging system for HGVs in Ireland. The Group is made up of representatives from my Department; the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government; the Department of Finance; the National Roads Authority; the Road Safety Authority; An Gardaí Síochána and Forfas. I hope to receive the final report from the Group by the end of July. I do not want to anticipate the findings of the Group at this stage, but the following is an update on their work to date.
The Group has carried out a review of the current motor tax arrangements for HGVs, including the administrative procedures and the tax raised. The Group has examined other charges levied on the domestic HGV operators, such as tolls and fuel costs, and other charges which hauliers face as business operators, including labour costs. The cost to haulage operators carrying loads outside of Ireland has been considered and a full review carried out of the road charging regimes in other European states, including the system introduced in the UK this year. The relevant European Union legislation in this area has also been examined. I understand that the Group has identified various options for changes to the motor tax regime in Ireland, to support the haulage industry and to ensure that transport costs do not negatively impact on Irish businesses, particularly Irish exporters who are driving our economic recovery. I look forward to receiving this report later in the summer.
