Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

Will the Minister indicate the shipping sectors in which the four vessels in question operate? Do they operate in the freight sector, for example, or the private passenger sector? Can the Minister estimate the total amount of taxation that has been foregone? He mentioned that €100,000 was paid under the scheme in 2003, but how much tax has been foregone? Will the tonnage tax regime, which has been in operation for three years, be considered as part of the review of tax relief schemes that is taking place? The Minister hopes to outline the benefits and costs of the various tax reliefs to the Dáil when the review has been completed. Will the tonnage tax relief scheme be included in the review so that the Oireachtas can be informed on an ongoing basis of the benefits and costs of this system, which has been approved for state aid purposes by the EU?

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