Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

A discussion took place on this matter. The concept is to try to find ways and means of capturing the civic sentiment of society in the aftermath of the tsunami and other tragedies. It is a question of how one encourages civil society to respond in addition to countries trying to meet their overseas development aid commitments. Part of the discussion was about debt relief and setting intermediate targets for the European Union, given the United Nations commitment to reach an ODA level equivalent to 0.7% of GDP. The idea referred to by the Deputy was only part of a wider discussion. The Commission and the Presidency will present a considered position paper on all these matters at the next ECOFIN meeting.

As regards the Government's view, Deputies will be aware that cheap air access is critical to Ireland as an island nation. Other EU member states have also expressed that opinion with regard to their status. The proposal for a €10 pre-departure tax, as they called it, can be regarded as a two-way matter, to and from various destinations. It could involve an increase in air fares of between 14% and 53%.

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