Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 310: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on alteration of the tax system to encourage travellers to use eco-friendly modes of transport, that is, a carbon levy on air travel journeys and aviation fuel tax. [8575/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 343 together.

A thriving air transport industry is particularly important for Ireland, given our island location on the periphery of Europe, and our reliance on the air transport industry to maintain our strong economic links to the United States. Any proposal to introduce an aviation fuel tax or carbon levy on air travel journeys would have to be assessed carefully with these important factors in mind and having regard to the global nature of the aviation industry. The responsibility for preparing proposals for European law rests with the European Commission. Until such time as the European Commission presents a proposal on the introduction of aviation fuel tax in the EU it is not possible for my Department to assess the impact of any such proposal from an Irish perspective.