First Public Consultation on Ten-year Strategy for the Haulage Sector

Ireland’s domestic and international road haulage sector plays a vitally important role in our economy.

In line with the Programme for Government, the Department of Transport is working towards developing a ten-year strategy for the road 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 Department of Transport launched a two-phase public consultation to seek views towards the development of a strategy for the haulage sector. The first consultation document was published on 9 April 2021 with submissions due by 16 July 2021.

On 16 June 2021, the Department of Transport hosted a Haulage Strategy Webinar which included an address from Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton TD and presentations and Q&A with over 50 stakeholders across the haulage and logistics sector. 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. A video recording of the event is available in two parts at the following two links: Part One and Part Two.

A total of forty-three (43) submissions were received in response to the initial public consultation. Respondents included State bodies; academia; industry interest groups; private individuals; and elected representatives, amongst others.

The Department of Transport wishes to thank those who took the time to respond to the public consultation. All contributions will help to inform and enhance the development of the strategy for the haulage sector.

Full submissions are published below in a consolidated “Ten-year Strategy for the Haulage Sector Public Consultation” document.

The forty-three (43) submissions received, have been analysed by consultants from Ove Arup & Partners Limited on behalf of the Department of Transport. A “Public Consultation on a Ten-Year Strategy for the Haulage Sector – Summary Report” document has been prepared by the Department based on that analysis, published below.

The public consultation exercise was the first significant step in delivering on the commitment in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future to bring forward a ten-year strategy for haulage sector.

This strategy will lay out the Government’s approach over the long term to support and sustain the sector in moving to a low carbon future, improving standards and in addressing labour and skills needs. The consultation submissions will be used to guide the development of the strategy.

It is expected that a draft strategy text will be published for consultation in Autumn 2022 and finalised by end year; with implementation to begin immediately thereafter.