Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton has hosted a stakeholder event for the haulage and logistics sector as the Public Consultation on Ireland's Ten-Year Haulage Strategy continues.

Freight and haulage representative organisations, as well as those working in the wider transport, logistics and supply chain sectors including in further education, training and academia attended the online event. The event heard from a range of experts on topics including decarbonisation, the skills gap and HGV driver shortage, while industry speakers included a haulage operator and the International Road Transport Union.

Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton TD said: "Ireland's domestic and international road haulage sector plays a critical role in our economy. It is vital that Ireland's forthcoming ten-year strategy accurately reflects the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and plans accordingly. Today's event provided a forum for stakeholders to come together to hear from a range of speakers and consider what that future looks like.

-- Advertisement --

"As part of the consultation process, we are seeking views on how we can generate efficiencies, improve standards and decarbonise the road haulage sector. I would encourage all those working in the sector from haulage operators and HGV drivers, to the wider logistics and supply chain sector, to contribute to this consultation which will help set out the roadmap for the sector over the next decade."

Concluding, Minister Naughton said: "We are keen to hear from all corners of the haulage sector, any and all suggestions and ideas are welcome. Together we can develop a Haulage Strategy that is ambitious and achievable, that brings about the efficient movement of goods, and that presents the haulage industry as an attractive career option."

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop a ten-year Strategy for the Haulage Sector. The Government's aim is to develop a strategy that will focus on generating efficiencies and improving standards, and helping the sector move to a low-carbon future. The first phase of the public consultation is the first step in developing that strategy and participation from all interested stakeholders including those working in the sector is important to ensuring their expertise, feedback and ambitions are included in this plan for the years ahead.

The consultation document, published in April, details the current Covid and Brexit challenges facing the sector and outlines other important policy issues facing the industry. Decarbonisation, road safety, infrastructure, labour market and integrated transport topics are all covered.

In addition to contributing to this public consultation and providing ideas and feedback, participants are also asked to raise any additional issues, which they believe may assist in developing the appropriate policy for this vital sector.