Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

The introduction of this tax in 2009 coincided with a marked decline in the numbers of people coming to the country from the UK, the US and elsewhere. In Holland, a similar tax was scrapped last year although it was raising more than €300 million because it was felt that €1 billion was being lost to the economy through discouraging people from coming to Holland. Most other European countries have followed Holland's example. In view of the marked decline in tourism, the loss of more than 40,000 jobs and the decline of €1 billion in tourism income, surely the Minister and the Government should make every effort possible to remove this tax.

Is the Minister aware that Mr. Michael O'Leary, who is now CEO of the biggest airline in Europe, has said that if the tax was scrapped he could bring 6 million extra tourists to Ireland over a five year period and increase employment by 6,000 people?

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