Fine Gael TD for Kildare South, Martin Heydon, has today (Friday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, that road tax for HGVs over 12 tonnes will be reduced in next year’s Budget. Minister Noonan was speaking this week following a meeting he attended with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD and the Irish Road Haulage Association during which they discussed the difference between costs for HGV operators in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
“This has been a huge issue for hauliers in Kildare and all over the Country who are trying to compete with hauliers from the UK under a completely different charging and tax system. I am pleased that the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Finance met with the Irish Road Haulage Association this week to discuss motor tax and other charges on larger Irish Heavy Goods Vehicles with a view to coming up with practical solutions.
“The haulage industry is vital to Ireland as a small, open, exporting economy. HGVs of over 12 tonnes have significant motor tax charges, particularly since the introduction of a UK Levy in April of this year, therefore I welcome Minister Noonan’s commitment to reduce road tax for these vehicles from next year and hope that it will be seen as a step in the right direction by the industry.
“There are other problems affecting hauliers and these issues were discussed by the Ministers and the Irish Road Haulage Association during their meeting. They in particular focused on the differences between costs for operators in Ireland and the United Kingdom which has been a major difficulty for Irish hauliers in the past year.
“I believe this meeting was very constructive and that it will build on the interdepartmental working group on HGV motor tax established earlier this year. The working group is reviewing the way commercial vehicle motor tax is calculated and the levels of motor tax paid by the industry.
“The group will issue a consultation paper by the end of this month, seeking the views of hauliers and other stakeholders on the options for reform of the commercial vehicle motor tax regime. I would encourage those in the industry to take part in this consultation and to have their views heard as we need to ensure that HGV operators can run a profitable business throughout Ireland and the UK.”