HVO for haulage
Deputy Moynihan asks what Government support can be given to hydrotreated vegetable oil as a transition fuel for haulage. The Tánaiste says the Government has worked with the sector and that harder-to-decarbonise industries need practical support, not lectures.
We all recognise the scale of the challenge facing the transport sector as we work to meet our climate obligations and, obviously, heavy goods vehicles are among the most difficult parts of that sector to decarbonise. Electrification is progressing but it is not yet a realistic option for the majority of those long-haul operators. It is in that spirit that I ask the Tánaiste to clarify what can be done from the Government's point of view with regard to support for hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, as a transition fuel for the haulage sector.
It can reduce emissions by up to 65% when it is sustainably sourced. It works in existing diesel engines with no modifications needed and is blended with diesel and used in heavy transport in the Netherlands, Finland, Italy and the UK. Major manufacturers like Volvo, Scania, MAN and Mercedes Benz use HVO in their engines. Hauliers especially face increased climate compliance costs, and HVO offers an immediate and practical pathway to lower their emissions without any new vehicles or infrastructure. Could the Tánaiste indicate what steps might be taken to encourage the use of HVO and to assist this sector in its decarbonisation goals?
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this issue. First, as the Deputy knows, we have worked hard to try to support the haulage section and I praise the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, for his leadership on that and the engagement we have had with the Irish Road Haulage Association and others, which is right and proper. However, the Deputy's question is also quite important because it is harder for some industry sectors to transition, and what they do not need from us in this House is a lecture and attitude they get sometimes from the left and far left who are not here to hear this.
They are a crucial part of our supply chain and economy. We need them to work and we need them to function. Our policies need to get more sophisticated in recognising that, whether that is incentivising people to be able to make that transition or better support. People are good and decent; they want to work with us. We need to challenge ourselves as to how we can help them make that transition, and HVO is an important part of that conversation. The Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is familiar with that, and we have had some conversations with the sector on that too. On foot of the Deputy raising it, I will ask the Minister to come back to the Deputy directly.