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issue I raise is hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, which is an alternative to diesel. It is an extraordinary product that comes from the treatment of plant matter with hydrogen. I am not going to pretend for a moment that I understand how it works, but I know that … carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. It is committed to in the programme for Government, which specifically commits to increasing the use of HVO and carbon-reducing fuels. It also commits to better tracking to ensure HVO comes from sustainable sources, reviewing tax policy to encourage HVO

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as ucht teacht isteach chun an cheist seo a fhreagairt. HVO is hydrotreated vegetable oil. Essentially, it is a substitute for diesel. The interesting thing about HVO is that it does not require engine modifications or new infrastructure. People who wish … which we can do it. The difficulty is that we have no incentive for people to use HVO instead of diesel. There is not nearly enough information out there for people using diesel cars to allow them to understand that HVO is there as an alternative. I know

raising this matter in the House today. The Government recognises the environmental benefits of incentivising the uptake of transition fuels such as HVO in place of heavier pollutants such as auto diesel. While HVO has a part to play in the here and now, Ireland must, nevertheless, move … decarbonise Ireland's existing vehicle fleet will take some time. As Deputy Ward may know, the mineral oil tax treatment of biofuels, including HVO, already financially incentivises biofuels over fossil fuels such as diesel. Biofuels produced from biomass qualify for a full relief from the carbon tax, thus

what she has said. I note what she said about the commitment in the programme for Government to examine taxation in relation to HVO. I agree with her in relation to EVs, and I welcome that EVs were the more sold vehicles in 2025. I presume, and hope … appropriate. The notion that this is the only incentive that we are really willing to countenance to encourage people to use HVO is, I think, shortsighted. This is particularly the case if we are going to be talking in the budget next week about reducing carbon tax generally

thank the Deputy for his further comments. As mentioned, the tax treatment of 100% HVO used in place of diesel is already incentivised through the tax system. On a VAT-inclusive basis, 23% less excise duty is charged on 100% HVO fuel when compared with auto diesel … percentage of the motor fuel they place on the market in Ireland is produced from renewable sources. Sustainable renewable transport fuels, such as HVO, provide immediate climate mitigation benefits, as the Deputy outlined, utilising the existing vehicle fleet. They will, therefore, continue to play an important transitional role

from shingles. I welcome that and the work that was done on that by my colleague, Deputy Colm Burke, in the health committee. HVO, or hydro-treated vegetable oil, is another issue. It is a perfectly adequate substitute for diesel motor oil, the thing that … does not produce soot, carbon monoxide or nitrous oxides the way diesel does. It is a progressive, sustainable fuel, yet a litre of HVO costs exactly the same as a litre of diesel. I do not understand why we cannot build into this legislation a genuine tax incentive

realised, sustainable renewable transport fuels provide immediate climate change mitigation utilising the existing vehicle fleet. The supply of renewable transport fuels such as HVO in the transport sector in Ireland is driven by the climate action plan biofuel blending targets for 10% ethanol in petrol and 20% biodiesel … physical blend of approximately 10% biofuel in diesel supplied to road transport, of which approximately 7% was FAME biodiesel and 3% was HVO. It is expected that further increases in the RTFO rate projected to 2030 under the policy will see a physical blend in the region

point I have raised with the Minister and I know he is sympathetic to this. Many operators want to use hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, and many operators are using it. HVO is a cleaner renewable fuel that can significantly reduce emissions. A haulier in my constituency is very … proud of the fact that his company has moved to HVO, but there is no reward for the greening of either his company or his operating costs. Hauliers wants to invest in greener fleets and be part of the climate solution, but HVO is more expensive and, unlike

Tánaiste to clarify what can be done from the Government's point of view with regard to support for hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, as a transition fuel for the haulage sector. It can reduce emissions by up to 65% when it is sustainably sourced. It works in existing … used in heavy transport in the Netherlands, Finland, Italy and the UK. Major manufacturers like Volvo, Scania, MAN and Mercedes Benz use HVO in their engines. Hauliers especially face increased climate compliance costs, and HVO offers an immediate and practical pathway to lower their emissions without

being punished for using the only fuel that will do the job while practical solutions are ignored or quietly parked. Hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, is a renewable diesel made from waste oil. It works in existing engines. It cuts emissions immediately and does not require people to scrap … vehicles or machinery that have years of life left in them. That is common sense climate action but good luck trying to get HVO in Ireland. There is no domestic production, almost no availability and no urgency from the Government to make it accessible to the sectors that

haulage sector is almost exclusively fuelled by diesel. That is not necessarily true. I know many operators in this sector who have utilised HVO, and Deputy Lahart mentioned that earlier. It is important that we recognise the contribution they are making to the environment by making the decision … move to HVO. I appreciate that more needs to be done in this area. However, Deputies will agree that decarbonisation will be a significant challenge for the sector over the medium term to 2030 and beyond. Several targeted supports have been provided in recent years to assist

security. We also need to look at the mix of the energy being used, particularly carbon-based energy. Biodiesel and hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, offer alternatives, particularly when we look at home heating because, by and large, it is kerosene. HVO and biodiesel can play a role … that has to be considered, particularly when a lot of hard-pressed families have to pay an increased cost for home heating oil. HVO and biodiesel can, however, deliver fuel to this country that is sourced primarily within the European Union. When we look at what is happening

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 … 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

likely to remain constrained given current global production capacity. My Department recently finalised a study on the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, in the heavy-goods vehicle sector, including the likely future availability and price, the decarbonisation potential and potential transitional incentives. The conclusions of the study … indicate that unless the renewable transport fuel obligation is also reformed, increasing the use of HVO in the HGV sector will simply shift biofuel use to HGVs and away from other road sectors, thereby leading to only modest reductions in overall emissions. In addition, the study also forecast

afford to wait to reduce our emissions. The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, mentioned the results of a study on the use of HVO in his opening remarks. While those results were not as positive as we would have liked, it does not mean we can stop … maximise the use of alternative fuels. The Department of Transport has commissioned a study to conduct a hierarchy-of-use assessment of HVO in transport modes, including land transport, aviation and maritime, and non-transport sectors. The study will take account of sustainability, availability, alternative energy sources

Irish Road Haulage Association president, Mr. Ger Hyland, had called on numerous occasions for small, basic measures, such as the subsidisation of HVO, to be made a priority by the Government in this budget. HVO is 20% more costly per litre than diesel. If the Government is serious … about the environment, why is HVO not subsidised for the haulage sector? That is my question tonight, especially when I look at the takings for carbon tax. It makes no sense that the Government would not support a sector that is already supporting our economy. I hope that

high standing charges. Of course, households are taking up the slack for the data centres. There is no reduction for hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, a sustainable fuel with a VAT rate of 23% on it. The Government knows it could have reduced it under EU regulations for agriculture … beef and milk alone. We have to diversify but we are not doing so. The Government also failed on hydrogenated vegetable oil, HVO. It is a sustainable fuel. It would improve energy security, shorten supply chains and reduce carbon emissions. The carbon tax increase has been held back

work has not yet been made. If we want to live in the perfect world, there is a thing called hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO. The latter would reduce someone’s emissions by something like 90%. Why are all the taxes on that if you want to tick … HVO, with modifications to a boiler, could be used in place of home heating oil and in diesel cars and tractors if it was made attractive to use. We put constructive proposals forward for the simple reason that we have to live realistically. We have to listen

referenced the fact that the position of the United States in terms of wind energy has impacted on certain companies. In terms of HVO, I am a believer in that for transport and have discussed it with the Minister. Pepsi in Cork has rooftop solar that helps … meet about 25% of its energy needs, but it also has HVO, which reduces carbon emissions by about 70%, as well as biofuels. Deputy Ó Murchú mentioned anaerobic digestion, but Deputies on his side of the House and elsewhere will oppose anaerobic digestion

that have been left behind. On home heating oil, I know there were a good few proposals in relation to hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO. The statistics I am hearing are that HVO would cut emissions by 90%, but there is still a lot of taxes on it. That

published as soon as possible. With regard to home heating, I ask the Minister to look at measures like the blending of HVO, with a view to increasing that to a level that is sustainable and achieves our emissions targets, and also works for the sector, communities … However, they cause disruption, particularly to older people. That is where I would see something like a boiler scrappage scheme, wood pellets or HVO being an intermediary as we move to where we want to go with this whole objective. As I said, communities cannot be left behind

excuse for that. It is immoral. Why is it that the Government will not reduce the price of hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, in this situation? Hauliers are crying out for a reduction in HVO prices. They want to make a change to a fuel that is carbon neutral

driving youngsters away from going near trucking. On the environment, I acknowledge a rebate is there at the moment, but for HVO, which would cut emissions by 90%, although it is dearer fuel, there is no rebate. People talk about COP30, COP40 or whatever they want to talk … actual fact they are not interested. If the Government wanted to do something, it would give a rebate on the likes of HVO. We need to look at the way lorry drivers, hauliers and people who own lorries are being treated in this country. Also, auto-enrolment

permitted, and rightly so, to provide grant aid for fossil fuel boilers. There are other options, however, such as hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO, and other things at which we are looking. We are looking at some supports within that space. We are moving away from fossil fuel boilers … That grant aid is not permitted any more through EU directives that we have transposed. We will look at other options, particularly around HVO and what we might be able to do in that space. I know the Deputy was at a committee meeting, but I have given

make sense for them. There is a body of work to do on energy poverty and climate action. I would like to see HVO and wood pellets recognised as an intermediate measure. I mentioned the gap between peat fuel and heat pumps and I believe the likes … HVO and wood pellets should be recognised. There is also an immediate, easy fix, with no disruption to elderly people, through solar panels. We should consider a national scheme where there is free insulation, supported by an SEAI grant, with microgeneration actually funding the installers to the stage

Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider extending any existing or future fuel support schemes to include hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), noting that while reliefs have been provided in respect of petrol and diesel, many tractors and agricultural machinery are capable of operating on HVO; whether … examined the potential environmental and economic benefits of supporting the use of HVO in the agricultural sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66678/26

Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the measures currently being considered to reduce the cost of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) for consumers; whether an assessment has been undertaken of the potential environmental benefits of increased HVO usage as a substitute for conventional diesel … will consider introducing taxation, excise or other support measures to reduce the price differential between HVO and diesel in order to encourage greater uptake and support emissions reductions. [70287/26

Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the tax levied on HVO; to provide a detailed breakdown of the different taxes that have been collected, in total, on HVO for each of the past five years; and the reason the Government will not reduce … cost of HVO taxation given the clear climate benefits. [21720/26

Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the plans for the use of HVO in household heating boilers as a substitute to fossil fuels; and if he will consider promoting the conversion of boilers to use HVO. [47126/26

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the price of HVO fuel, produced in the EU, including here in Ireland, has been inflated in line with diesel when there is no HVO crises; if he will conduct an analysis to assess

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if HVO is one of the fuels being examined for inclusion in a scheme for home-heating decarbonisation supports; if his Department is examining existing rates of tax on HVO compared to other home heating fuels

Finance if his Department has worked with the Department of Climate Energy and Environment to ensure that the roadmap to increasing supplies of HVO is consistent with his call to allow switches to HVO-based home heating; the engagements that have taken place to date; whether engagements

upcoming meetings of the EU Energy Council the issue of EU anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties on US-origin hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO); his assessment of the implications of these measures for our renewable fuel supply, pricing and security of supply; and how this aligns with … significant annual increases in the road transport fuels Obligation mandate, and support decarbonisation of road freight and commercial coaches with fuels such as HVO. [55624/25

John Clendennen asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment to advise on his Department’s position on both the use of HVO for fuel home heating systems and the Programme for Government commitment to “improve traceability in HVO procurement to ensure the product is from sustainable

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the merits of financially incentivising the use of HVO fuel instead of diesel to support achieving our climate emission targets, and in the context of significant price increases on fossil fuels. [68250/26

Ward asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding research carried out by his Department into the merit of promoting the use of HVO fuel for transport to support a reduction in emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64393/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on the use of HVO fuel for transport as an alternative to diesel; if his Department is carrying out research into the merits of promoting its use at a national level; and if he will make a statement

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the Government’s assessment of low carbon liquid fuels, including HVO, as a viable and affordable decarbonisation option for older rural homes reliant on kerosene; if he will consider policy measures to support their deployment

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Transport his views on the use of HVO fuel for transport as an alternative to diesel; if his Department is carrying out any research into the merits of promoting its use at a national level; and if he will make

Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the merits on financially incentivising the use of HVO fuel instead of diesel to support achieving our climate emission targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57133/26

Pádraig Rice asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on creating a regulation that would require parity between the price of HVO fuel and diesel fuel diesel to support achieving our climate emission targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57134/26

Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has carried out analysis on the tax take on HVO fuel as a result of higher prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35056/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Transport his views on the use of HVO fuel for transport as an alternative to diesel; if his Department is carrying out any research into the merits of promoting its use at a national level; and if he will make

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the merits on financially incentivising the use of HVO fuel instead of diesel to support achieving our climate emission targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30678/26

Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on creating a regulation that would require parity between the price of HVO fuel and diesel fuel to support achieving our climate emission targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30681/26

Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the excise reduction for auto diesel impacts the excise charged on HVO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27588/26

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for the up-to-date position on HVO inclusion in the Roadmap to Phase Out Fossil Fuel Heating Systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26889/26

Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason he will not provide a 7 cent per litre haulier rebate on HVO. [21721/26

Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance his views on the merits of financially incentivising the use of HVO fuel for transport instead of diesel to support achieving our climate emission targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69081/25

Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment for the expansion on HVO usage to include home heating; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64348/25