Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2014
266. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will continue his efforts at the North-South Ministerial Council to get the Northern authorities to review their recent decision in respect of the imposition of the UK heavy goods vehicle levy in respect of trucks registered in the Twenty-six Counties and in respect of trucks using the A5 as the main transit route between north Donegal and Dublin. [48546/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of the UK HGV road user levy was an unwelcome development for Irish hauliers, particularly for those operating in areas around the border with Northern Ireland. My Department lobbied extensively against the application of the levy in Northern Ireland, but the UK Minister for Transport refused to grant any significant exemption beyond certain small sections of NI roads that criss-cross the border.
The Northern Ireland Assembly recently voted in favour of introducing the secondary legislation necessary for the enforcement of the levy in Northern Ireland. A proposal to repeal the legislation was debated in the Assembly but was rejected by the majority of MLAs.
My Department, in co-operation with the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment, is monitoring the imposition of the levy in Northern Ireland and its impact on Irish hauliers. I will continue to discuss the issue with Minister Durkan under the aegis of the North South Ministerial Council, and to seek to identify ways to mitigate the impact of the charge on Irish hauliers.
