Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The emissions trading scheme and the question of the inclusion of aviation is primarily a matter for my colleagues, the Ministers for Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Transport. Accordingly, detailed questions on the issue would be more appropriately addressed to them.

On the particular issue raised by the Deputy, I understand that final agreement on the proposal for a directive to include aviation activities in the scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the European Community is subject to the approval of the European Parliament and the European Council, which has yet to be secured. Without clarity on the final details of the proposed operation and implementation arrangements, it is not possible to assess accurately the tourism impacts on Ireland. The Government supports, in principle, the proposal to include aviation in the emissions trading system. From a tourism viewpoint, I understand that the proposal is regarded as the least worst option, so to speak, in that it is preferable to application of energy taxes, en route charges or other measures to disincentivise customers from travelling by air.

I understand that the impact assessment carried out by the European Commission on its original proposal suggests that, "the maximum impact for regions whose tourism income depends fully on inbound air travel would be a decrease in tourist arrivals of 1% to 5% compared to a business as usual scenario".

Tourism, by definition, is dependent on transport and Ireland, as an island nation, depends overwhelmingly on air access. Considerably more than 80% of our visitors come by air and 80% of our tourism revenue comes from overseas tourists. Developing greater and more competitive air access has been and remains a key tourism policy priority for Ireland. Ireland's best prospects for medium and long-term tourism growth will be critically dependent on air access.

General policies which seek to restrict or significantly inhibit air travel can impact disproportionately on island member states such as Ireland and discriminate against the peripheral regions. It could be argued they are not in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and, therefore, we should be vigilant in arguing our position on this front.

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