Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
307. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Transport to address issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); his plans to tackle rising energy costs in a substantial way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34289/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 12 April, Government agreed a new package of measures on fuel costs and to support the transport, farming and fisheries sectors. Those measures followed significant engagement with industry representatives and are in addition to the previously allocated €250 million in targeted supports to assist those experiencing real and immediate financial pressure.
Those measures include:
• A reduction to excise on diesel by a further 10 cent (VAT inclusive), bringing the total reduction on diesel to 32 cent (VAT inclusive);
• A reduction to excise on petrol by a further 10 cent (VAT inclusive), bringing the total reduction on petrol to 27 cent (VAT inclusive);
• A reduction to excise on marked gas oil (green diesel) by a further 2.4 cent (VAT inclusive), bringing the total reduction on green diesel to 7.4 cent (VAT inclusive).
These overall reductions include the already announced NORA levy reduction. Government deferred the planned increase in carbon tax, scheduled for May 1st, until the Budget. This will impact green diesel and non-propellant fuels such as kerosene heating oil, natural gas and solid fuels.
Furthermore, my Department is preparing direct supports for hauliers impacted by the recent rise in the cost of diesel.
The Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS) is a package of supports primarily directed at the road transport sector given its importance to the wider supply chain, businesses and communities throughout Ireland. The scheme was brought to Cabinet on Tuesday, 28 April and details of the scheme were announced at a press conference on Wednesday, 29 April. The RTSS will be administered by my Department.
The RTSS will be backdated to 01 March 2026 to each qualifying haulage or coach operator. The Scheme will remain in place for three months. Payments will be made for April and May if the national average price of diesel exceeds €1.90 per litre in either month, as measured by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The RTSS will be available to both licensed road haulage operators and the own account sector, in respect of certain heavy goods vehicles (over 3,500kg in laden weight) where the vehicle is used in the haulage business (the carriage of goods by road).
All applicants must meet the following conditions as of 01 March 2026:
Be the holder of a road haulage operator licence issued by my Department; or
Where the applicant is not normally required to hold a road haulage operator licence, an operator whose normal commercial activity relates to the carriage of goods by road; or
Be the holder of a passenger operator licence issued by my Department.
In all cases, payments will only be made to operators where the vehicle for which they seek support is registered on the Department's National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) database, with motor tax paid and with a valid Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT) certificate.
My Department is developing an electronic application and processing system to facilitate payments under the RTSS. The Scheme will open for applications shortly and payments will be backdated to 01 March 2026. Further details will be announced as soon as possible.
