Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

Although I do not know how serious are the proposals, I wish to raise the proposed €10 travel tax which some mad Eurocrat has brought forward to try to solve the Third World aid issue. Indeed, John O'Shea of Goal has condemned this proposal as absolutely ridiculous. As an island nation, we need air travel. The imposition of further taxation would be a major blow to this country. Whoever brought forward this proposal has done much to undermine the EU constitution which is being discussed at present. This effort to, in a sense, pull the plug on the people's wish to pass the referendum on the EU constitution should be condemned.

I am glad the Minister for Finance said such tax would not be introduced on his watch. I am sure Commissioner McCreevy will not allow it to be introduced. For those Members who will have the opportunity to debate the EU constitution with MEPs tomorrow, perhaps they might put that proposal to them to ensure the Parliament does not allow any such mad, lunatic fringe to introduce such a tax on the people of this country and the travelling public throughout Europe. I condemn any such proposal. We should remember that the first Nice treaty referendum was defeated. Although the second was passed, the success of the constitutional treaty is not guaranteed. If more of these mad proposals come forward, I assure the House that quite a number of people will vote "No" in that referendum.