The Budget 2022 was a missed opportunity for the Irish government to support the logistics sector through the intense pressures it is facing, according FTA Ireland.

Aidan Flynn, CEO of FTA Ireland (FTAI) comments:“The Budget 2022 flattered to deceive, offering very little support for hard-pressed logistics and freight distribution businesses in Ireland at a time when supply chains are under intense pressure from climate change, the skills shortage, Brexit, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry is keen to decarbonise its operations as quickly as possible, but the Budget failed to include provision for charging and gas fuelling infrastructure to support the use of alternatively fuelled vehicles. The government also failed to consider the impact that rising fuel costs is having on the sector’s ability to remain resilient in the face of growing operational challenges.

“However, we were pleased to see the Alternatively Fuelled HDV Purchase Grant Scheme will continue, in addition to the Low Emission Vehicle Toll Incentive Scheme – both these measures will help companies to transition from diesel run to alternatively fuelled vehicles. FTAI is urging the government to ensure a portion of the 800 new Garda it plans to appoint will be deployed in the road policing unit; this is vital to make sure the nation’s roads remain safe and free from unscrupulous operators.”

FTA Ireland

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