Haulage Industry Regulation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 February 2014

Tuesday, 4 February 2014

Ceisteanna (461)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

461. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the actions that will be taken by his Department to address the concerns of the Irish Road Hauliers Association in respect of the proposed road user levy on HGV vehicles entering the North and Britain; if his attention has been drawn to the effect this will have on exports and also particularly on haulage operators in Border counties; if he has considered proposals put forward by the Irish Road Haulage Association; if he will implement same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5224/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

The Irish Road Hauliers Association have proposed the introduction of a road charging scheme for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), along with a change in the basis of motor taxation from unladen to gross design vehicle weight.

The proposal in relation to the road charging scheme is a matter for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. His Department has established an Inter-Departmental Working Group on this matter which includes representation from, inter alia, my Department.

Any change to the basis of motor taxation for commercial vehicles to gross design vehicle weight will need to take account of the lack of correlation between unladen and gross design vehicle weight and the potential impact on income to the Local Government Fund and, consequently, on the provision of local services. Any such change would also require amendments to primary legislation and technological modifications to the National Vehicle and Driver File.