Fuel rebate will provide much needed breathing space for transport sector – Coffey

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has welcomed the inclusion in the Finance Bill, which was published today (Wednesday), of a fuel rebate of 7.5 cents on a litre of auto-diesel for hauliers and members of the licenced passenger transport sector, saying it will give much needed breathing space to both sectors.

“The prohibitive cost of fuel in recent years has posed a considerable challenge to those whose livelihoods depend on transporting goods and/or people. Hauliers and private bus and coach operators have been struggling to cope. The provisions contained today in the Finance Bill, in terms of a rebate on auto-diesel, will provide some financial relief for both of these sectors, making it easier for them to make ends meet.

“This issue is something that is very close to the business community’s heart as hauliers are the people who get our goods from A to B, while coach operators transport our tourists. If we are to ensure that our export figures continue to perform as well as they have been, it is critical that our hauliers are given the room to continue to deliver. In the same vein, we must ensure that during this, the year of The Gathering, every effort is made to facilitate our visitors in discovering all that Ireland has to offer.

“In the action Plan for Jobs 2012, the tourist and export sectors were targeted for future growth and development. This measure, which will put hauliers and private coach operators in a much stronger financial position, will support that.

“The relief will take effect from 1st July 2013 so operators will feel the benefits this year. This is something that I have been making representations on since before the Budget last year, on behalf of a number of businesses in Waterford and the South East Region. I am delighted that this provision has now been enshrined in legislation and look forward to the benefits being reaped by those who really need them.”

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