The president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, Mr. Eugene Drennan, has raised the serious concerns facing hauliers and has said that many hauliers will be forced off the road due to increasing prices for diesel. This is of concern because the haulage sector is vital to our economy, including our supply lines, supporting other sectors and ensuring those sectors are allowed to function. This is a difficulty. Support packages and financial supports are urgently needed. We need to bear in mind that the haulage industry creates massive employment in every region of this State. What is now needed before the new year and before a crisis emerges is to put a financial support plan in place because there will be difficulties in the new year otherwise. Will the Government commit to putting a support package in place? This should be a simplified support package that is not bureaucratic and can be easily accessed by hauliers.

The Government maintains ongoing contact with the haulage industry. We have had a number of schemes from the time of the Covid pandemic and onwards to try to support the haulage industry. We are acutely aware of the impact of energy price rises on the industry. The Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has provided some supports and initiatives. I will talk to him in respect of what the Deputy said and revert to her.