Supports are urgently needed for the Irish road haulage sector to upgrade the fleet to Euro VI-equipped vehicles through a revised fuel-rebate scheme, according to independent TD for Laois-Offaly, Carol Nolan.

What is Euro VI?Euro VI engines substantially reduce the level of emissions from previous pollutant levels.

Following a meeting between the Rural Independent Group - of which Deputy Nolan is a member - and representatives from the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) this morning (Monday, November 1), she said the clear message is that the sector is "facing unprecedented challenges".

IRHA president, Eugene Drennan and senior IRHA representatives were present at the meeting.

Deputy Nolan said the government "is determined to put the policy cart before the horse when it comes to wiping diesel and petrol vehicles from the road".

With 45% of the IRHA's HGV fleet aged in excess of 10 years, the importance of upgrading the fleet and revising the cap on the fuel-rebate scheme has never been so important, she said.

The sector wants to play its role, but its needs support to do so, she added.

"Alarmingly, however, this is set to rise to €500,000/day when the carbon tax reaches €100/t, as the government says it will by 2030.

"When you add all of this to the chronic lack of drivers, bureaucratic red tape, endless delays around loading and unloading and the utter failure of this government to progress or even explore the idea of express lanes for HGVs - which might make it possible to regain time on these delays - then it is clear that what we need is a laser focused commitment to resource and support the sector before it is brought to the brink,” she said.