Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

Is the Minister accepting the report to which he referred which suggests 2010 as the earliest date for the introduction of a carbon levy? The chairman of the Minister's party indicated he has no difficulty in speaking to the Minister for Finance about these issues. The Minister did not answer the question on whether he would contact the Department of Finance to ensure it reviews or brings forward the introduction of a carbon tax for the 2009 budget which will be presented in December 2008, as indicated by him last Christmas at the time of the publication of his carbon budget and as stated in the programme for Government.

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