The national HGV fleet, which comprises 24,000 articulated vehicles, facilitates 86% of the movement of goods in our economy and is a vital cog in our economy. However, the hauliers are encountering difficulties. I recently had a meeting with the Irish Road Haulage Association, IRHA, to discuss this. There is a need for the fuel rebate to be increased as in other European countries. For example, in France it is 19 cent while in Belgium it is 23.5 cent. In Ireland it is still 7.5 cent. We need to ensure that something is done about this to ensure there is no disruption to the supply chain. In addition, there needs to be incentives and direct supports for the hauliers to upgrade to Euro 6 engines. Again, that requires financial incentives. Our hauliers in Ireland are at a competitive disadvantage compared with their European counterparts. We need urgent action on this issue from the Government or it will impact the economy.

We will have to give some thought to that. The shock to our economy and to energy prices as a result of the invasion of Ukraine was not anticipated but it has happened and we have to deal with it. The Government is very aware of the impact this will have on households in the form of higher energy bills for motorists, farmers, businesspeople and the haulage sector. We knew prices would rise over time, as they did, but I do not think anyone anticipated a further shock right after the pandemic in the way it has occurred. We will have to give that consideration over the coming days.