Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have problems with this proposal. In an era where we have been trying to get rid of tax reliefs and tax avoidance schemes, it seems strange we would encourage one of the most highly profitable sectors to avail of a tax incentive to locate in Ireland, in particular considering what has happened in the aviation services facilities sector in Ireland in recent years. In addition, we know of the debacle at what was originally Team Aer Lingus, which then changed to SR Technics, and there is also the Government's position in terms of privatising Aer Lingus.

I find it odd there would be a facility for commercial airlines and airports, or for individuals who have an aeroplane. We know some of the high-flying individuals who have aeroplanes in Ireland and who could also avail of this tax relief if they built a hangar, once it had facilities for servicing and whether the aeroplane was small or large. I find it bizarre that this type of industry would be allowed to benefit. The amendment would allow the individual behind a construction that is to be used for maintenance to avail of a write-off of up to €5 million.

We have seen some of the millionaires who own Gulfstream jets in this country. I remember recently looking at footage of what seems to be a habit now of people with helicopters floating up and down the country, thinking they own everywhere. As a helicopter is an aircraft, I presume a hangar for one of these helicopters might fall under this measure. Are we encouraging the elite in Ireland by facilitating private airports around the country? It is not just the aeroplanes themselves but the fact they have to be put into a hangar, and that hangar has to have a maintenance or services section. Nobody buys a Gulfstream and parks it in their back garden, although down the country, one of the helicopters recently tried to park next to a pub and ended up destroying half the pub.

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