Motor Fuels
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-17
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Barry Ward (FG), Dún Laoghaire

Topical Issue Debates are a really important way that we can raise issues and get direct answers. I entirely respect that the Minister of State is taking a number of matters that do not come under his Department’s remit. However, it is a source of some frustration that the line Minister from the Department is not here because that would be much more useful. I could just have tabled a written question on the matter. It would have been more helpful if a Minister from the Department to which this issue relates had been here.
I appreciate what the Minister of State said. I recognise the veracity of everything in his response and the progress being made. As stated, however, HVO is a perfectly adequate substitute for traditional diesel. It emits 90% less carbon without compromising the energy it provides as fuel for diesel engines. The transport sector is one of the larger emitters of carbon in our economy. In the climate action plan, we have committed to reducing our carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. This is a key way in which we could do that. I do not know whether the decision not to reduce the tax on HVO is based on the loss the Exchequer might suffer as a result. That is fine, but whatever loss the Exchequer suffers would pale in comparison with the fines we will face after 2030 if we do not meet our target of reducing emissions by 50%. Let us get serious about implementing real tax changes, and just not for the sake of it. We must say to consumers that doing this would be to their benefit, not just in terms of the environmental impact or reducing the emissions from their cars but also because they will feel the impact in their pockets. We must also informed that, as well as saving 90% on emissions, it would be cheaper to put HVO into their cars. Let us make this a real choice for consumers who drive diesel cars. Let us make it easy for them to chose a more sustainable and less carbon-emitting fuel.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:38+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-17