Speeches by Robinson.

“They are two separate things, but they are compatible.”

“At the moment there is an issue around red diesel, which I raised with the Chancellor six weeks ago. Red diesel can be used agriculturally off road, and I think with the ability to travel on road for about 15 miles. I was told that the reality of that is that, for contractors moving from field to field to assist with s…”

“William, there was a hiatus last Tuesday, really, but what support do you envisage coming forward, either at Northern Ireland Executive level or in Whitehall?”

“At the moment there is an issue around red diesel, which I raised with the Chancellor six weeks ago. Red diesel can be used agriculturally off road, and I think with the ability to travel on road for about 15 miles. I was told that the reality of that is that, for contractors moving from field to field to assist with s…”

“Yes, and receiving VAT on top of that again, so we have a duty differential that is higher in the United Kingdom, but there is also increased VAT on the increased cost that consumers and businesses are paying.”

“That brings me to a point I think you were trying to open up earlier, which is what Government can do and the outlier impact. You say “outlier”; a number of European countries have brought forward support packages, for example. Hauliers have been the beneficiary. Agriculture has been a beneficiary of that. Consumers ha…”

“William, there was a hiatus last Tuesday, really, but what support do you envisage coming forward, either at Northern Ireland Executive level or in Whitehall?”

“Are you are saying that energy policy is with the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland? How many meetings have you had with the Minister for the Economy?”

“I spoke to a taxi driver last week who just indicated to me that personally, as a self-employed person, he was spending £500 more per month to keep his car on the road. One of my colleagues was speaking to a gentleman who was delivering animal feed as a haulier, and he said their small firm operating in Tyrone was payi…”

“Yes, and receiving VAT on top of that again, so we have a duty differential that is higher in the United Kingdom, but there is also increased VAT on the increased cost that consumers and businesses are paying.”

“That brings me to a point I think you were trying to open up earlier, which is what Government can do and the outlier impact. You say “outlier”; a number of European countries have brought forward support packages, for example. Hauliers have been the beneficiary. Agriculture has been a beneficiary of that. Consumers ha…”

“Good morning to you all, gentlemen. David, can I come to you first if you do not mind? Credit to you for being the first person who has really sung and hummed along when giving evidence today; that was an entertaining spectacle. David, you were kind enough to meet me, and I am sure you have met some other political lea…”

“It is important that we know that engagement is happening. Thank you. William, what engagement have you had?”

“I spoke to a taxi driver last week who just indicated to me that personally, as a self-employed person, he was spending £500 more per month to keep his car on the road. One of my colleagues was speaking to a gentleman who was delivering animal feed as a haulier, and he said their small firm operating in Tyrone was payi…”

“Do you mean that it is not available?”

“Just to be clear, the announcement that was made last Tuesday is not an announcement at all.”

“How important was it for your members to hear the Agriculture Minister on the radio last Tuesday encouragingly say that there was £236 million available to support with this crisis?”

“Mr Pang, what engagement have you had with Government, either in Northern Ireland for the Road Haulage Association or yourselves here in London with Whitehall?”

“Are you saying that the announcement that was made last Tuesday was already there and it is, in real terms, less than what was there the previous year?”

“John, this is the reason why you are here today. Could your office regulate the oil industry? Would there be an associated benefit to that, or would it be unduly burdensome?”